BACKGROUND: Plastic resins are complex chemicals that contain toluene diisocyanate (TDI) and/or trimellitic anhydride (TMA), which cause occupational allergies (OA), including respiratory allergies. Serum IgGs against TDI and TMA have been suggested as potential markers of the exposure status and as exploring cause of OA. Although TDI-specific IgG has been examined for suspected OA, TMA-specific IgG is not commonly evaluated in a urethane foam factory. This study therefore investigated both TDI- and TMA-specific IgGs in suspected OA patients and to evaluate the usefulness of the measurement of multiple chemical-specific IgG measurement for practical monitoring. METHODS: Blood samples were collected from two male workers who developed respiratory allergies supposedly caused by occupational exposure to TDI and/or TMA for the presence of TDI- and TMA-specific IgGs. In addition, blood samples from 75 male workers from a urethane foam factory, along with 87 male control subjects, were collected in 2014 and tested for the same IgGs in 2014. The presence and levels of TDI- and TMA-specific serum IgGs were measured using dot blot assays. RESULTS: We found that controls had mean concentrations of TDI- and TMA-specific IgGs of 0.98 and 2.10 μg/mL, respectively. In the two workers with respiratory allergies, the TDI-specific IgG concentrations were 15.6 and 9.51 μg/mL, and TMA-specific IgG concentrations were 4.56 and 14.4 μg/mL, which are clearly higher than those in controls. Mean concentrations of TDI- and TMA-specific IgGs in the factory workers were 1.89 and 2.41 μg/mL, respectively, and are significantly higher than those of the controls (P < 0.001 and P < 0.026 for TDI- and TMA-specific IgGs, respectively). CONCLUSION The workers suspected of OA showed an evidently high level of TDI- and TMA-specific IgG, and these levels in workers at the urethane foam factory were also significantly higher than those in controls. In conclusion, the measurement of TDI- and TMA-specific IgG among workers using plastic resins is helpful to monitor their exposure status.
Adult ; Air Pollutants, Occupational ; adverse effects ; immunology ; Environmental Monitoring ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin G ; blood ; immunology ; Japan ; Male ; Manufacturing and Industrial Facilities ; statistics & numerical data ; Middle Aged ; Occupational Diseases ; blood ; chemically induced ; Occupational Exposure ; adverse effects ; statistics & numerical data ; Phthalic Anhydrides ; immunology ; toxicity ; Respiratory Hypersensitivity ; blood ; chemically induced ; Toluene 2,4-Diisocyanate ; immunology ; toxicity ; Workforce

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

OBJECTIVEIn order to study the feature of T cell TCR-CD3 complex-mediated gene in lead poisoning patients.

METHODSReal-time PCR with SYBR Green I technique was used for determination of the expression levels of CD3 genes in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of 46 cases lead poisoning patients (11 cases in observation group and 35 cases in mild lead poisoning group) and 31 cases in control group.

RESULTSThe median expression levels of CD3γ gene in observation group and mild lead poisoning group (6.89%, 5.87 %) were higher than the control group (P < 0.05). The median expression levels of CD3δ gene in observation group and mild lead poisoning group (0.54%, 0.70%) were lower than the control group (P < 0.05). The median expression levels of CD3ε gene in observation group and mild lead poisoning group (10.22%, 6.08%) were higher than the control group (P < 0.05). A significant Positive correlation was found between CD3γ, CD3ε and seniority in lead poisoning patients. A significant negative correlation was found between CD3ε and blood ZPP, urea δ-ALA (r = -0.358, P < 0.05; r = -0.385, P < 0.05), but there was no significant correlation between them after controlling for blood lead, urea lead. The expression levels of CD3 genes prove to be a descending order of CD3γ, CD3ε, CD3δ in control group, while it was changed for CD3ε, CD3γ, CD3δ in the observation group as well as in mild lead poisoning group.

CONCLUSIONExpression of T cell TCR-CD3 complex-mediated gene was changed in lead poisoning patients, it might be related to the body immunodeficiency. The expression level of CD3ε gene can be used as sensitive immune function screening indicator in Lead poisoning patients.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Lead Poisoning ; immunology ; Male ; Occupational Diseases ; immunology ; Receptor-CD3 Complex, Antigen, T-Cell ; metabolism ; Young Adult

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

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

OBJECTIVETo analyze the changes in CD8(low) T lymphocyte subsets in patients with occupational chronic lead poisoning.

METHODSFlow cytometric analysis was used to count the numbers of CD8+ cells. 23 patients with occupational chronic lead poisoning and 20 controls were examined.

RESULTSCompared with control group (8.21% ± 3.02%), the CD8(low) T lymphocyte (12.98% ± 5.62%) were significantly increased in patients with occupational chronic lead poisoning.

CONCLUSIONAlthough the ratio of CD+ T lymphocyte is normal, the CD8 level is significantly decreased. The increase of CD8(low) T lymphocyte may be an important phenomenon of immuno-injury induced by lead. CD8(low) T lymphocyte could be an new direction for research of lead immuno-toxicity.

Adult ; CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes ; Case-Control Studies ; Female ; Humans ; Lead Poisoning ; immunology ; Lymphocyte Count ; Male ; Occupational Diseases ; immunology ; Young Adult

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

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Hepatitis A is an acute infectious disease transmitted by fecal-oral route. As the incidence of hepatitis A has been increased in Gwangju and Chonnam province of Korea recently, the number of hepatitis A patients in hospital employees has also increased. Thus, we investigated the seroprevalence of IgG anti-HAV in hospital employees below 40 years old. METHODS: We analysed the seroprevalence of anti-HAV IgG from 1,002 Chonnam national university hospital empolyees (men: 190, women: 812) who were below 40 years old. The age group was divided by 5 years; 21-25 years old 199 (19.9%), 26-30 years old 426 (42.5%), 31-35 years old 215 (21.5%), 36-40 years old 162 (16.1%). RESULTS: Overall seropositive rate of IgG anti-HAV was 32.8% (329/1,002). The seropositive rate of men was 40.5% (77/190) and that of women was 31.0% (252/812). The seropositive rates of each age group were 1.5% (3/199) in 21-25 years old, 21.6% (92/426) in 26-30 years old, 48.4% (104/215) in 31-35 years old, and 80.2% (130/162) in 36-40 years old. The seropositivity rate of the high risk group (doctors, nurses, technicians) was 28.9% (234/809). CONCLUSIONS: The seropositive rate of IgG anti-HAV was the lowest in early twenties of hospital employees and below 50% in early thirties. Therefore, hepatitis A vaccination may be warranted in the hospital empolyees below the early thirties.
Adult ; Female ; Hepatitis A/*epidemiology ; Hepatitis A Antibodies/*blood ; Hepatitis A Virus, Human/immunology ; Hospitals ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin G/*blood ; Male ; Occupational Diseases/*epidemiology ; *Personnel, Hospital ; Seroepidemiologic Studies ; Young Adult

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

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