Extrinsic allergic alveolitis-causing actinomycetes in indoor and farm environments

Abstract

Suspended airborne particles, of biological origin, can constitute bioaerosols1,2 and they can be of different origin ranging from farm environments dealing with hay, sugar cane, tobacco, mushroom and cotton to refuse disposal sites to military equipment test chambers. These bioaerosols might carry allergenic and pathogenic agents like viruses, spore forming bacteria and fungi, excreta of insects and mites, moss and fern spores, algal and plant cells; enzymes, antibiotics, endotoxins, mycotoxins and fungal glucans1. Although infections from pathogenic viruses, bacteria and fungi may occur in these work environments the commonly reported symptoms relate to allergic rhinitis and asthma, allergic alveolitis (granulomatons pneumonitis) or organic dust toxic syndrome (inhalation fever or toxic pneumonitis)1,2. This article will only provide an overview on the non-infectious lung diseases resulting from long-term exposure to the spores of thermoactinomycetes of the order Bacillales and thermophilic actinomycetes of the order Actinomycetales in indoor and farm environments.