Occupational Allergic Respiratory Disease Research Articles

Occupational allergic respiratory diseases - occupational asthma

Introduction and objective: Occupational diseases, most often caused by allergens or irritants in the workplace, lead to a deterioration in the quality of life of employees and, in some cases, the inability to continue working in a specific position.It is important to prevent respiratory diseases, which will allow for earlier detection of changes and appropriate treatment. The aim of the study is to present the knowledge about occupational asthma on the basis of available scientific data, and to indicate appropriate preventive measures to reduce the incidence of this disease entity.
 Review methods:While writing the thesis, a database was used, ie Pubmed and Google Scholar.
 Brief description of the stage of knowledge: The group of the most common obstructive pulmonary diseases is bronchial asthma. This disease affects over a dozen percent of the population of civilized countries, and it affects various age groups and various social strata. Bronchial asthma can be mild, severe, and even fatal [1]. Occupational asthma is caused by inhaling antigens, which are abundant in the working environment of farmers, bakers and millers, including protozoa and airborne fungi.
 Summary: Allergic respiratory diseases are a significant problem in the work environment. In addition, an increase in these diseases has been observed in recent years. It is related to the improvement of diagnostic methods, as well as their more frequent occurrence [2]. The frequency and type of allergy occurrence depends on many factors. These factors include genetics, exposure to aeroallergens, and the type of work performed. Certain professions are associated with a particularly high risk of allergic respiratory disease. Such occupations include a baker, miller, and employees in the transport industry [3].

Prevalence of occupational respiratory diseases from exposure to industrial aerosols

The development of occupational allergic respiratory diseases in the Republic of Bashkortostan in 54% of cases is associated with exposure to aerosols of complex chemical composition exceeding MAC. Aggravating factors are unfavorable microcli-matic conditions in the workplace in combination with a chemical factor.

Occupational allergic respiratory disease (rinoconjunctivitis and asthma) in a cheese factory worker

Occupational allergic respiratory disease (rinoconjunctivitis and asthma) in a cheese factory worker

Mass spectrometry-based analysis of murine bronchoalveolar lavage fluid following respiratory exposure to 4,4'-methylene diphenyl diisocyanate aerosol

1. Diisocyanates are highly reactive electrophiles utilized in the manufacture of a wide range of polyurethane products and have been identified as causative agents of occupational allergic respiratory disease. However, in spite of the significant occupational health burden associated with diisocyanate-induced asthma, the mechanism of disease pathogenesis remains largely unknown.2. To better understand the fate of inhaled diisocyanates, a nose-only aerosol exposure system was constructed and utilized to expose a BALB/c mouse model to an aerosol generated from 4,4'-methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (MDI). Tissue and bronchoalveolar lavage samples were evaluated 4 and 24 h post-exposure for evidence of diisocyanate-protein haptenation, and a label-free quantitative proteomics strategy was employed to evaluate relative changes to the protein content of the cellular fraction of the lavage fluid.3. Following MDI aerosol exposure, expression of the number of proteins with immunological or xenobiotic metabolism relevance is increased, including endoplasmin, cytochrome P450 and argininosuccinate synthase. Western blot analysis indicated MDI-conjugated protein in the lavage fluid, which was identified as serum albumin.4. Tandem mass spectrometry analysis of MDI-albumin revealed MDI conjugation occurs at a dilysine motif at Lys525, as well as at a glutamine-lysine motif at Lys414, in good agreement with previously published in vitro data on diisocyanate-conjugated serum albumin.

Occupational allergic respiratory disease due to royal jelly

Occupational allergic respiratory disease due to royal jelly

Occupational Allergic Diseases in Kitchen and Health Care Workers: An Underestimated Health Issue

Objective. This study evaluated the frequencies of allergic symptoms and rate of upper respiratory infections during the past year in the general population, kitchen workers (KW) and health care workers (HCW). Methods. The European Community Respiratory Health Survey (ECRHS) was used to inquire retrospectively about asthma and asthma-like symptoms and the number of treatments required for previous upper respiratory tract infections (URTI: acute pharyngitis, acute sinusitis, etc.) during the past year for health care workers, kitchen workers, and members of the general population. Adjusted odds ratios by gender, age, and smoking status were calculated. Results. 579 subjects (186 from the general population, 205 KW, and 188 HCW; 263 females, 316 males) participated in the study. Noninfectious (allergic) rhinitis was significantly higher in the HCW and KW groups than in the general population (P < 0.001). Cumulative asthma was significantly higher only in the HCW group (P < 0.05). In addition, the HCW and KW groups had significantly higher risks of ≥2/year URTI (OR: 1.59, 95% CI: 1.07–2.38 versus OR: 1.57, 95% CI: 1.05–2.38) than the general population. Conclusion. Occupational allergic respiratory diseases are an important and growing health issue. Health care providers should become familiar with workplace environments and environmental causes of occupational rhinitis and asthma.

Comparative analysis of aromatic diisocyanate conjugation to human albumin utilizing multiplexed tandem mass spectrometry

Diisocyanates are industrially important chemicals that serve as polymerizing agents in a variety of polyurethane products. In addition to their many industrial uses, diisocyanates have been implicated as causative agents of occupational allergic respiratory disease, although the specific mechanism(s) by which these diseases occur remains unknown. In this study the sites of conjugation of the two most industrially important monomeric diisocyanates, methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (MDI) and toluene diisocyanate (TDI) on human serum albumin are identified utilizing multiplexed tandem mass spectrometry on a quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometer. Analysis of human albumin reacted with MDI and TDI over the range of 1:1–40:1 (isocyanate:protein) mol ratio reveals that MDI and TDI react with a maximum of 20 and 37 residues, respectively. Conjugation of diisocyanates to albumin proceeds in a concentration-dependant manner with MDI and TDI reacting at a preferred subset of 5 and 10 residues, respectively, in the limiting case of a 1:1 mol ratio. MDI reacts at fewer residues than does TDI, and is not observed to react with any residues exclusive of TDI. These results cannot be explained on the basis of simple sterics or hydrophobicity, but rather on the basis of increased reactivity of one TDI isocyanate moiety due to electron withdrawing character of the second isocyanate moiety. Furthermore, reaction of diisocyanates with albumin in a phosphate buffered saline (PBS) solution provides three additional reactive sites that are not observed in ammonium bicarbonate buffer. Two lysine residues, Lys 199 and Lys 525, are observed to be reactive to both diisocyanates at all concentrations and in all solvent systems employed in this study. This study presents a comprehensive conjugation map of MDI and TDI on human albumin. The results suggest that several albumin residues are reactive toward both MDI and TDI and may be useful for biomonitoring of diisocyanate exposures.

Genetic Variability in Susceptibility to Occupational Respiratory Sensitization

Respiratory sensitization can be caused by a variety of substances at workplaces, and the health and economic burden linked to allergic respiratory diseases continues to increase. Although the main factors that affect the onset of the symptoms are the types and intensity of allergen exposure, there is a wide range of interindividual variation in susceptibility to occupational/environmental sensitizers. A number of gene variants have been reported to be associated with various occupational allergic respiratory diseases. Examples of genes include, but are not limited to, genes involved in immune/inflammatory regulation, antioxidant defenses, and fibrotic processes. Most of these variants act in combination with other genes and environmental factors to modify disease progression, severity, or resolution after exposure to allergens. Therefore, understanding the role of genetic variability and the interaction between genetic and environmental/occupational factors provides new insights into disease etiology and may lead to the development of novel preventive and therapeutic strategies. This paper will focus on the current state of knowledge regarding genetic influences on allergic respiratory diseases, with specific emphasis on diisocyanate-induced asthma and chronic beryllium disease.

Occupational asthma and rhinoconjunctivitis induced by natural rubber latex exposure.

A number of reports indicate that occupational exposure to natural rubber latex (NRL) in health care workers can elicit symptoms of rhinoconjunctivitis with or without asthma in selected individuals who are sensitized. The prevalence or risk of NRL-induced asthma in relation to rhinoconjunctivitis is small in comparison with other forms of occupational allergic respiratory disease. The lower risk of NRL-induced asthma appears to be related to poor penetration of the allergen into the lower respiratory tract because of the relatively large particle size of allergen-bearing cornstarch particles. Because of a lack of large prospective studies, little is know about the incidence and natural history of latex-induced respiratory disease. Because of heightened awareness of NRL allergy and changing patterns in glove manufacturing and glove use, it is likely that the occurrence of NRL-induced occupational respiratory disease will decline and its natural history will change. Nevertheless, because large number of individuals are exposed to NRL in various occupations, the incidence, prevalence, and natural history of NRL allergy merit further monitoring.

Airway response to formaldehyde inhalation in asthmatic subjects with suspected respiratory formaldehyde sensitization

The aim of the study was to characterize the mechanism of formaldehyde (FM)-induced nasal and bronchial response in asthmatic subjects with suspected FM allergy. Ten subjects purported to have FM rhinitis and asthma and 10 healthy subjects submitted to an inhalation provocation in an exposure chamber with FM at a dose of 0.5 mg/m3 over 2 hr. Spirometry at rest and following bronchial provocation with histamine (PC20) were recorded before and after FM inhalation. In addition, FM-specific serum IgE antibodies were measured and cellular, biochemical, and mediator changes were assessed in nasal lavage before, and immediately after, provocation and at 4 hr and 24 hr later. Provocation with FM caused only transient symptoms of rhinitis in both groups. None of the subjects supposed to have occupational asthma developed clinical symptoms of bronchial irritation. No specific IgE antibodies to FM were detected in persons with occupational exposure to FM. No differences in the nasal response to FM were found between subjects reporting to have occupational allergic respiratory diseases and healthy subjects (P > 0.05). In summary, inhaled formaldehyde at a level as low as 0.5 mg/m3 did not induce a specific allergic response either in the upper or in the lower part of the respiratory tract. Moreover, there is no difference in nasal response to FM in asthmatic subjects occupationally exposed to FM and healthy subjects. Am. J. Ind. Med. 33:274–281, 1998. © 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Airway response to formaldehyde inhalation in asthmatic subjects with suspected respiratory formaldehyde sensitization

The aim of the study was to characterize the mechanism of formaldehyde (FM)-induced nasal and bronchial response in asthmatic subjects with suspected FM allergy. Ten subjects purported to have FM rhinitis and asthma and 10 healthy subjects submitted to an inhalation provocation in an exposure chamber with FM at a dose of 0.5 mg/m3 over 2 hr. Spirometry at rest and following bronchial provocation with histamine (PC20) were recorded before and after FM inhalation. In addition, FM-specific serum IgE antibodies were measured and cellular, biochemical, and mediator changes were assessed in nasal lavage before, and immediately after, provocation and at 4 hr and 24 hr later. Provocation with FM caused only transient symptoms of rhinitis in both groups. None of the subjects supposed to have occupational asthma developed clinical symptoms of bronchial irritation. No specific IgE antibodies to FM were detected in persons with occupational exposure to FM. No differences in the nasal response to FM were found between subjects reporting to have occupational allergic respiratory diseases and healthy subjects (P > 0.05). In summary, inhaled formaldehyde at a level as low as 0.5 mg/m3 did not induce a specific allergic response either in the upper or in the lower part of the respiratory tract. Moreover, there is no difference in nasal response to FM in asthmatic subjects occupationally exposed to FM and healthy subjects.

Occupational Allergies in Finland in 1981–91

In 1981-91 in Finland, the number of cases with occupational asthma increased from 156 to 352 (125%), and with occupational rhinitis from 61 to 318 (421%), while the number of all cases of occupational diseases increased from 5060 to 8828. A total of 755 new patients with occupational allergic respiratory diseases and 558 with occupational allergic skin diseases were reported in 1991. This means that occupational allergies represent 15% of all cases of occupational diseases in Finland. The mean annual incidence of occupational respiratory diseases was 31 per 100,000 workers, 374 per 100,000 bakery workers, and 241 per 100,000 farmers. These data emphasize the important role of clinical allergy in the diagnosis of occupational disease during the time when some previously common occupational diseases such as toxic reactions to mercury and lead have become uncommon. Improved diagnosis of occupational allergic diseases would result in an improved control of the environment and reduction of diseases. Of particular interest is the establishment of the importance of occupational rhinitis, an issue that has been underemphasized as an occupational health problem in many countries.

A review of epidemiological methods applied in studies on laboratory animal allergy. With a discussion of the relation between prevalence and risk of an irreversible disease in a dynamic population of constant size.

The risk of developing an occupational allergic respiratory disease depends strongly on the duration of exposure. For estimating the instantaneous risk (hazard function) in a dynamic cohort, information is required for each cohort member on the time of exposure either until disease onset or until termination by leaving the job or the end of the study. However, most existing epidemiological studies on occupational allergies are cross-sectional, computing prevalences; no information on job-leavers and on their disease status is obtained. The functional dependency of prevalence on risk, as well as on the rate of leaving the job among the diseased and on the distribution of exposure duration, is described, with special attention to the sensitivity of the prevalence to differences of the rate of leaving the job. A literature review of 15 studies on laboratory animal allergy is given; none of the studies collected and reported all the information necessary for risk estimation.

Allergic asthma to Bacillus subtilis enzyme: a model for the effects of inhalable proteins.

The passage of 24 years since the diagnosis of allergic asthma in heavily exposed workers and in a few consumers due to dusty enzyme preparations of Bacillus subtilis compounded with laundry powder makes it possible to review objectively the many problems it raised. It emphasizes the lessons to be learned, relevant to inhalable enzyme products and to other inhalable proteins in general. Occupational allergic respiratory diseases were little studied at the time and the enzyme problems stimulated interest in what has now become a well-established and important field of medicine involving not only protein allergens but low molecular weight chemicals as well.

Occupational asthma due to poultry mites

The possible role of the northern fowl mite (NFM) in occupation-related respiratory disease of poultry workers was examined. The study population included 16 poultry workers with workplace-associated asthma and rhinitis, 27 atopic individuals with similar symptoms but no occupational exposure to poultry, and 12 asymptomatic nonatopic poultry-exposed controls. Ten of the 16 atopic poultry workers had immediate wheal-and-flare reactions to NFM, as compared with two of 27 non—poultry-exposed controls (p <0.001). In cutaneous testing with five poultry-related antigens, the NFM was the most reactive. On skin tests, four atopic poultry workers were positive for NFM and negative for Dermatophagoides farinae; four workers were negative for NFM and positive for D. farinae. Radioallergosorbent test (RAST) showed specific IgE levels for NFM, with positive RAST scores in 60% of poultry workers having positive skin tests. A provocative bronchial test with NFM extract in a poultry worker having positive NFM skin test and RAST score resulted in an immediate 25% reduction in the FEV 1 and a 62% fall in forced expiratory flow volume at 25% of vital capacity. Collectively, the established presence of NFM in the poultry workplace, associated clinical histories, positive cutaneous tests, positive specific-IgE assays, and positive bronchial challenge combine to estalbish a role for NFM in occupational allergic respiratory disease of poultry farmers.