Lower respiratory symptoms in bakery workers may be induced by wheat flour and endotoxins. We hypothesized that endotoxins from wheat flour may stimulate innate immunity and that interleukin-18 (IL-18) gene polymorphisms may affect their regulatory role in innate immune responses to endotoxins. To investigate the genetic contribution of IL-18 to sensitization to wheat flour, we performed a genetic association study of IL-18 in Korean bakery workers. A total of 373 bakery workers undertook a questionnaire regarding work-related symptoms. Skin prick tests with common and occupational allergens were performed and specific antibodies to wheat flour were measured by ELISA. Three polymorphisms of the IL-18 gene (-607A/C, -137G/C, 8674C/G) were genotyped, and the functional effects of the polymorphisms were analyzed using the luciferase reporter assay. Genotypes of -137G/C (GC or CC) and haplotype ht3 [ACC] showed a significant association with the rate of sensitization to wheat flour. Luciferase activity assay indicated ht3 [AC] as a low transcript haplotype. In conclusion, the regulatory role of IL-18 in lipopolysaccharide-induced responses in bakery workers may be affected by this polymorphism, thus contributing to the development of sensitization to wheat flour and work-related respiratory symptoms.
Adult ; Alleles ; Allergens/immunology ; Antibodies/analysis/immunology ; Female ; Genes, Reporter ; Genotype ; Haplotypes ; Humans ; Interleukin-18/*genetics ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Occupational Diseases/*genetics/immunology ; *Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Questionnaires ; Respiratory Hypersensitivity/*genetics/immunology ; Skin Tests ; Triticum/*immunology

OBJECTIVETo observe the TCR V gamma gene repertoire diversity in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells of the patients with the chronic benzene poisoning.

METHODSComplementarity determining region 3 (CDR3) of TCR V gamma subfamily genes were amplified in 10 patients with the chronic benzene poisoning using RT-PCR. The PCR products were further analyzed by genescan to evaluate clonality of T cells. 8 healthy persons served as control.

RESULTSAll V gamma subfamilies were detected in the 8 healthy donors. (1.30 +/- 0.48) V gamma subfamilies were detected in 10 patients. The number of detectable V gamma subfamilies present in the patients with the chronic benzene poisoning was significantly lower than in the control group (P < 0.01). The most frequently used V gamma genes in clonally expanded T-cells were V gamma II.

CONCLUSIONSkewed distribution and clonal expansion of TCR V gamma subfamily T cells could be found in the patients with the chronic benzene poisoning. This is the first report of clonal expansion TCR V gamma T cells in patients with chronic benzene poisoning. The bias pattern of TCR V alpha T cells may be due to the immune cytotoxicity from benzene.

Adult ; Benzene ; poisoning ; Chronic Disease ; Complementarity Determining Regions ; genetics ; Female ; Humans ; Leukocytes, Mononuclear ; immunology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Occupational Diseases ; genetics ; immunology ; Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta ; genetics ; immunology ; Young Adult

Exposure to cephalosporins could cause occupational allergic diseases in health care workers (HCWs). We evaluated the prevalence of serum specific IgE and IgG antibodies to cephalosporin-human serum albumin (HSA) conjugate and to identify potential genetic risk factors associated with sensitization to cephalosporins in exposed HCWs. The study population consisted of 153 HCWs who had been exposed to antibiotics in a single university hospital and 86 unexposed healthy controls. A questionnaire survey of work-related symptoms (WRS) was administered. A skin-prick test (SPT) was performed, and serum-specific IgE and IgG antibodies to 3 commonly prescribed cephalosporins were measured by ELISA. Four single-nucleotide polymorphisms of the candidate genes related to IgE sensitization were genotyped. The prevalence of WRS to cephalosporins was 2.6%. The prevalence rates of serum-specific IgE and IgG antibodies to cephalosporins were 20.3% and 14.7%, respectively. The FcepsilonR1beta-109T > C polymorphism was significantly associated with IgE sensitization to cephalosporins in HCWs (P = 0.036, OR = 3.553; CI, 1.324-9.532). The in vitro functional assay demonstrated that the T allele of FcepsilonR1beta-109T had greater promoter activity than did the C allele (P < 0.001). The FcepsilonR1beta-109T > C polymorphism may be a potential genetic risk factor for increased IgE sensitization to cephalosporins.
Adult ; Alleles ; Anti-Bacterial Agents/analysis/*immunology ; Cephalosporins/analysis/*immunology ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Female ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; Health Personnel ; Humans ; Hypersensitivity/*diagnosis/epidemiology ; Immunoglobulin E/blood ; Immunoglobulin G/blood ; Male ; Occupational Diseases/*chemically induced/epidemiology ; Occupational Exposure ; Odds Ratio ; Questionnaires ; Receptors, IgE/genetics ; Skin Tests ; Young Adult

Eleven cases of human brucellosis occurred among livestock workers and a veterinarian who lived and worked in a rural area around Jeongeup City, Jeollabuk-Do, Korea from February 2003 to August 2003. Eight of the patients had taken care of Korean native cattle that were infected with bovine brucellosis and had already been slaughtered. Two of the patients had taken care of dairy cattle, and one case was a veterinarian who acquired the disease through an accidental contact with infected cattle while assisting in calf delivery. Eleven cases were identified by serologic work ups and four cases were identified via positive blood cultures. This study shows that the Republic of Korea is no longer free of human brucellosis, Brucella abortus biotype 1. We reviewed the patients' characteristics and serologic data during the oneyear follow up period, and we also discuss on the efficacy and side effects of the rifampin and doxycyline regimen used for the treatment of human brucellosis.
Adult ; Animal Husbandry ; Animals ; Anti-Bacterial Agents/adverse effects/therapeutic use ; Antibodies, Bacterial/blood ; Base Sequence ; Brucella abortus/genetics/immunology/isolation and purification ; Brucellosis/drug therapy/*epidemiology/microbiology/transmission ; Brucellosis, Bovine/transmission ; Cattle ; DNA, Bacterial/genetics ; Disease Outbreaks ; Doxycycline/adverse effects/therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Korea/epidemiology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Occupational Diseases/drug therapy/epidemiology/immunology/microbiology ; Rifampin/adverse effects/therapeutic use ; Veterinarians