Clinical and immunological evaluation of isocyanate-exposed workers.
10.3346/jkms.1992.7.2.122
- Author:
Hae Sim PARK
1
;
Jae Nam PARK
;
Jae Won KIM
;
Soo Kun KIM
Author Information
1. Department of Chest Medicine, National Medical Center, Seoul, Korea.
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Isocyanate;
Occupational Asthma;
Bronchial Hyperresponsiveness;
Specific IgE
- MeSH:
Adult;
Asthma/*chemically induced/diagnosis;
Bronchial Provocation Tests;
Humans;
Immunoglobulin E/analysis;
Occupational Diseases/*chemically induced/diagnosis;
Occupational Exposure;
Serum Albumin/immunology;
Toluene 2,4-Diisocyanate/*adverse effects/immunology
- From:Journal of Korean Medical Science
1992;7(2):122-127
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Isocyanates are the most significant cause of occupational asthma in our country. To evaluate the prevalence of work-related respiratory symptoms and immunologic sensitization to it, we performed a questionnaire survey, allergy skin test, radioallergosorbent test (RAST) to toluene diisocyanate (TDI)-human serum albumin (HSA) conjugate and methacholine bronchial challenge test on 23 isocyanate-exposed employees and 9 unexposed controls working in a zipper factory. Six employees (26.1%) complained of work-related respiratory symptoms and three symptomatic workers showed significant bronchoconstrictions on TDI-bronchoprovocation test. Three (13%) asymptomatic workers had high specific IgE antibodies to TDI-HSA and none of the TDI-sensitive asthmatic workers had specific IgE antibody. One of the TDI-sensitive asthmatic workers showed a negative result on the initial methacholine bronchial challenge test, but bronchial hyperresponsiveness developed after the TDI challenge. It was suggested that TDI-sensitive asthma was noted in three (13%) of 23 exposed workers and that asymptomatic workers could have high specific IgE antibody. Measurement of the changes in bronchial hyperresponsiveness after the TDI challenge could be helpful to diagnose TDI-sensitive asthma.
