A high prevalence of work-related symptoms in relation to grain dust exposure has been reported in grain dust workers, but the role of the specific IgG antibody is unknown. To study the possible role of specific IgG (sIgG) and specific IgG4 (sIgG4) in the development of work-related symptoms, sIgG and sIgG4 subclass antibodies against grain dust antigens were determined by ELISA in sera from 43 workers and 27 non-exposed controls. They were compared with results of specific IgE antibodies, exposure intensity and the presence of respiratory symptoms. SIgG and sIgG4 antibodies were detectable in almost all sera of exposed workers, and the prevalence were significantly higher than those of controls (p<0.05). Higher sIgG4 was noted in workers with specific IgE (p<0.05). The correlation between sIgG and exposure duration was significant (p<0.05). There was no association between the prevalence of sIgG and sIgG4 and the presence of respiratory symptoms, or work stations. In conclusion, these results suggest that the existence of sIgG and sIgG4 might represent a response to grain dust exposure and may unlikely play a role in the etiology of respiratory symptoms.
Allergens/immunology* ; Cereals/immunology* ; Human ; IgG/immunology* ; Inhalation Exposure ; Male ; Occupational Diseases/immunology ; Occupational Exposure*

Adult ; Biomarkers ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin A, Secretory ; analysis ; Isoenzymes ; analysis ; Male ; Occupational Diseases ; diagnosis ; immunology ; Saliva ; enzymology ; immunology ; Stress, Psychological ; diagnosis ; immunology

Previous studies suggest that reactive dyes can induce IgE mediated bronchoconstrictions. To evaluate the significance of specific IgE and IgG antibodies in workers exposed to reactive dyes, we studied the prevalence of Black GR-specific IgG by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay, as well as Black GR-specific IgE by RAST, in 176 workers employed in 1 reactive dye factory and 4 neighboring factories. Six employees of reactive dye asthma who were working in factories near the reactive dye factories were noted. The prevalence of specific IgE antibodies in the neighboring factories was higher than in that of the reactive dye factory. The prevalence of specific IgG was highest in the reactive dye factory, and those of the neighboring factories were markedly lower. It was suggested that IgE mediated sensitization to reactive dye could have occurred in employees who were working in neighboring factories, and the prevalence of reactive dye-specific IgG antibody could be used as an in direct method of assessing the exposure of workers to reactive dye.
Adult ; Antibody Specificity ; Asthma/*etiology/immunology ; Coloring Agents/*adverse effects ; Female ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin E ; Immunoglobulin G ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Occupational Diseases/*etiology/immunology ; Occupational Exposure ; Serum Albumin/immunology

This is the first reported detection of serum IgE antibody to piperacillin-human serum albumin (HSA) conjugate in a patient presenting with anaphylaxis that developed after occupational exposure. A 24-yr-old nurse, who had worked at a University Hospital for 2 yr, experienced chest tightness, dizziness, generalized urticaria, abdominal pain, and diarrhea 10 min after administering a piperacillin injection. She had previously suffered from atopic dermatitis. A skin prick test for common inhalant allergens was entirely negative; in contrast, her serum total IgE was elevated (283 IU/mL). A high level of piperacillin-specific serum IgE was detected by ELISA using piperacillin-HSA conjugate. Significant inhibition upon addition of both free piperacillin and piperacillin-HSA conjugate was detected by inhibition ELISA. These data suggest that piperacillin exposure in the workplace can induce occupational anaphylaxis and urticaria mediated by an interaction of IgE with the hapten of piperacillin.
Anaphylaxis/*chemically induced/immunology ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Female ; Hospitals, University ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin E/*blood/immunology ; Intensive Care Units ; Occupational Diseases/*chemically induced/immunology ; *Occupational Exposure ; Piperacillin/*immunology ; Serum Albumin/*immunology ; Urticaria/immunology ; Young Adult

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.
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

BACKGROUNDVenom allergy is significantly underestimated in China. Venom-specific IgE may not provide accurate clinical reactions. Our conducted retrospective analysis observes alternative diagnostic considerations in assessing confirmation and severity of honeybee venom allergy.

METHODSRetrospective review of honeybee venom allergy versus nonallergy patients presented with positive honeybee venom (i1) sIgE results. According to clinically observed reactions caused by a honeybee sting, patients were divided into three groups. Patient residence and exposure types were analyzed. The sIgE/T-IgE among allergy and control groups was compared.

RESULTSGender ratio male:female was 32:22; median age was 39 years (31, 50). 48% (26/54) of patients live in urban areas, 52% (28/54) in rural areas. Based on bee sting reactions, patients were divided into common localized reactions (32/54), large localized reactions (7/54), and systemic reactions (15/54). In the systemic reaction group, patients presented as Type II (6/15), Type III (6/15). There is significant difference (P < 0.001) between the three groups in regards to exposure types. In the systemic reaction group, 8.7% (13/15) of patients are beekeepers. A significant difference (P < 0.001) was observed between allergic and control groups based on sIgE/T-IgE results. As well as significant difference observed between the systemic reaction group to the other two reaction groups in regards to sIgE/T-IgE results. Six systemic reaction patients presented with large localized reactions before onset of system symptoms 1 month to 1 year of being stung.

CONCLUSIONSOccupational exposure is the most common cause in honeybee venom allergy induced systemic reactions. The use of sIgE/T-IgE results is a useful diagnostic parameter in determining honeybee venom allergy.

Adult ; Bee Venoms ; immunology ; Beekeeping ; China ; Female ; Humans ; Hypersensitivity ; blood ; immunology ; Immunoglobulin E ; blood ; immunology ; Insect Bites and Stings ; immunology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Occupational Diseases ; Occupational Exposure ; adverse effects ; Retrospective Studies

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

BACKGROUND AND METHODS: To evaluate the role of specific antibodies to corn dust (CD) and their relationship to respiratory dysfunction, we detected serum specific IgE(slgE) and IgG4(slgG4) antibodies by ELISA in 42 employees working in the animal feed industry and 27 unexposed controls. RESULTS: Our survey revealed that 15 (34.9%) subjects had work-related respiratory dysfunction associated with or without nasal symptoms. Among these subjects, eight had airway hyper-responsiveness to methacholine. Significant differences were noted in slgE and slgG4 between exposed and unexposed groups (p = 0.04, p = 0.00 respectively), but no difference was noted in slgG (p = 0.1). Although there was no significant differences in the prevalence of specific IgE antibody between symptomatic (29%) and asymptomatic groups (19%, p = 0.55), the specific IgE levels were significantly higher in symptomatic workers than in asymptomatic workers (p = 0.03). Specific IgG antibody was detected in 1 (6%) symptomatic and 4 (15%) asymptomatic workers (p = 0.46). Specific IgG4 antibody was detected in 11 (73%) of symptomatic and 21 (78%) of asymptomatic workers (p = 0.90). The higher prevalence of slgG4 antibody was noted in workers with slgE antibody (p = 0.001). The correlation between slgG and exposure duration was significant (r = 0.36, p = 0.02). There was no association between the prevalence of slgE, slgG, and slgG4 to exposure intensity, smoking or atopic status. CONCLUSION: These results suggested that the existence of slgG and slgG4 might represent a response to CD exposure, and that some unexposed subjects had slgG to CD. Specific IgE might play a role in the development of respiratory symptoms.
Analysis of Variance ; Antibodies, Anti-Idiotypic/analysis* ; Asthma/immunology* ; Asthma/epidemiology ; Chi-Square Distribution ; Comparative Study ; Corn/adverse effects* ; Dust/adverse effects* ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Human ; IgE/analysis* ; IgG/analysis* ; Male ; Occupational Diseases/immunology* ; Occupational Diseases/epidemiology ; Occupational Exposure/adverse effects ; Reference Values ; Respiratory Hypersensitivity/immunology* ; Skin Tests ; Smoking/immunology ; Substances: IgE ; Substances: IgG ; Substances: Antibodies, Anti-Idiotypic

Formaldehyde is a low molecular weight chemical and can elicit acute and chronic health related problems. Most of the inhaled formaldehyde is retained in the upper respiratory tract due to its extraordinary solubility. Therefore, cases of formaldehyde-induced occupational asthma are sporadic despite its widespread use in industrial processes. We herein report upon a case of occupational asthma due to formaldehyde, which was confirmed by workplace challenge including working environmental assessments, and by formaldehyde inhalation challenge using a specially designed closed-circuit apparatus. To investigate the possible involvement of an IgE-mediated mechanism, both in vitro and in vivo tests were done. IgE antibody specific for formaldehyde-human serum albumin conjugate (F-HSA) was not detected by ELISA, and no specific cutaneous reactivity to F-HSA was noted by either skin prick or intradermal test. The patient was diagnosed with formaldehyde-induced occupational asthma not associated with an IgE mediated mechanism.
Adult ; Antibodies/blood ; Asthma/*chemically induced ; Case Report ; Formaldehyde/*adverse effects/immunology ; Human ; Male ; Occupational Diseases/*chemically induced

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of chronic occupational stress on the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) and immune function.

METHODSA cross-sectional study was conducted in 112 railway station dispatchers. Perceived job stress was assessed by means of the Chinese version of the Job Content Questionnaire. The subjects were divided into high, medium and low strain groups according to the job strain score of the questionnaire. The number of GR, percentage of T lymphocyte subpopulations, concentrations of cortisol and interleukin 2 (IL-2) in blood were measured.

RESULTSThe concentrations of serum cortisol in high and medium strain groups [(295.43 +/- 79.06) and (274.34 +/- 70.08) ng/ml respectively] were higher than that in low strain group [(181.01 +/- 53.41) ng/ml, P < 0.05]. GR binding capacity in both groups (4,330.0 +/- 1,001.0, 3,971.6 +/- 966.8 specific binding/cell respectively) were smaller than that in low strain group (5,141.3 +/- 1,068.5 specific binding/cell, P < 0.05). The percentage of CD(3) T lymphocyte in high strain group was higher than that in low strain group [(50.21 +/- 10.30)% vs (56.87 +/- 15.36)%, P < 0.05], and CD(4) T lymphocyte in high and medium strain groups were significantly smaller than that in low strain group [(23.27 +/- 10.01)%, (27.06 +/- 7.47)% vs (33.31 +/- 7.77)%, P < 0.05]. In contrast, the percentage of CD(8) T lymphocytes in high and medium strain groups were significantly higher than that in low strain group [(28.16 +/- 6.47)%, (25.54 +/- 6.70)% vs (21.91 +/- 5.93)%, P < 0.05]. The levels of serum IL-2 in high and medium groups were smaller than that in low strain group [(0.77 +/- 0.05), (0.80 +/- 0.07) vs (1.05 +/- 0.12) ng/ml, P < 0.05]. Correlation analysis showed that serum cortisol level was negatively correlated with CD(8) percentage (r = -0.612, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONChronic occupational stress may induce rise of glucocorticoid, down-regulation of GR and inhibition on immune function.

CD4-CD8 Ratio ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Female ; Humans ; Hydrocortisone ; blood ; Male ; Occupational Diseases ; immunology ; metabolism ; Receptors, Glucocorticoid ; analysis ; Stress, Psychological ; immunology ; metabolism