Association of Endotoxin and Allergens with Respiratory and Skin Symptoms: A Descriptive Study in Laboratory Animal Workers.
Ann Work Expo Health
; 61(7): 822-835, 2017 Aug 01.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-28810679
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
In laboratory animal work, allergens are classically considered to play a prominent role in generation of respiratory and skin symptoms. However, recent development may have changed working conditions and require an updating of preventive measures.OBJECTIVE:
In workers exposed to a range of animals besides laboratory mice and rats the relative role of endotoxin, irritants, and allergens in symptom generation was assessed for updating preventative measures and health surveillance.METHODS:
Eligible workers were recruited from university units in which exposure to rats and/or mice, occurrence of respiratory and/or skin symptoms, and/or a history of animal bites had been reported. Exposure to endotoxin and rat and mouse allergen was assessed (71 half-day personal samples). 'Symptomatic' was defined by work-related ocular, nasal, respiratory, or skin symptoms. A concentration of specific IgE against rat or mouse (e87 and e88) ≥0.35 kU/l defined sensitization. Sensitivity analyses examined the effect of alternative exposure indicators and definitions of 'sensitized' and 'symptomatic'.RESULTS:
From 302 eligible workers, 177 participated. There were 121 and 41 workers in the asymptomatic and non-sensitized and symptomatic but non-sensitized group, respectively. Eight subjects were symptomatic and sensitized. Six sensitized subjects were asymptomatic. One participant could not be assigned to a subgroup. Airborne endotoxin and allergen concentrations were mostly below 20 EU m-3 or the detection limit, respectively. Clinical history showed that irritants and sensitizers other than mouse/rat allergen or endotoxin were a major cause of symptoms. Results were sensitive to the selected exposure indicator and the definition of 'symptomatic'.CONCLUSIONS:
Health surveillance programs need to be adapted to include a larger range of allergens and pay more attention to irritants.Palabras clave
Texto completo:
1
Colección:
01-internacional
Banco de datos:
MEDLINE
Asunto principal:
Alérgenos
/
Exposición Profesional
/
Técnicos de Animales
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Contaminantes Ocupacionales del Aire
/
Endotoxinas
/
Hipersensibilidad
/
Animales de Laboratorio
Tipo de estudio:
Diagnostic_studies
/
Risk_factors_studies
Límite:
Adolescent
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Adult
/
Animals
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Female
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Humans
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Male
/
Middle aged
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Ann Work Expo Health
Año:
2017
Tipo del documento:
Article
País de afiliación:
Suiza