Biomarkers of Respiratory Allergy in Laboratory Animal Care Workers: an Observational Study

Overview

Journal Int Arch Occup Environ Health

Specialty Environmental Health

Date 2018 Jun 3

PMID 29858653

Citations 1

Authors

Federica Tafuro

Luisella Selis

Matteo Goldoni

Mariarita Stendardo

Paola Mozzoni

Erminia Ridolo

Piera Boschetto

Massimo Corradi

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Objectives: Laboratory animal allergy is a highly prevalent occupational disease among exposed workers. The aim of the study was to validate the biomarkers of airway inflammation in laboratory animal (LA) care workers.

Methods: All of the participants in this observational study (63 LA care workers and 64 controls) were administered a clinical questionnaire, underwent spirometry and a skin prick or radioallergosorbent test for common and occupational aeroallergens, and the fraction of exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO), exhaled breath condensate hydrogen peroxide (EBC HO) and serum pneumoprotein levels were measured. Multivariate analysis (ANCOVA) was used to assess the interactions of the variables.

Results: FeNO levels correlated with exposure (p = 0.002), sensitisation (p = 0.000) and age (p = 0.001), but there was no interaction between exposure and sensitisation when age was considered in the model (p = 0.146). EBC-HO levels were higher in the sensitised workers than in the sensitised controls [0.14 (0.08-0.29) µM vs 0.07 (0.05-0.12) µM; p < 0.05]. Serum surfactant protein A (SP-A) levels were unaffected by exposure, sensitisation or age, although higher levels were observed in symptomatic workers; however, SP-D levels were influenced by exposure (p = 0.024) and age (p = 0.022), and club cell 16 levels were influenced by sensitisation (p = 0.027) and age (p = 0.019).

Conclusions: The presence of the clinical symptoms associated with LA exposure and high FeNO levels should prompt further medical assessments in LA workers. Although EBC-HO levels do not seem to reflect eosinophilic inflammation, serum SP-A levels could be used to monitor progression from rhinitis to asthma.

Citing Articles

Club cell protein (CC16) in serum as an effect marker for small airway epithelial damage caused by diesel exhaust and blasting fumes in potash mining.

Neumann S, Casjens S, Hoffmeyer F, Ruhle K, Gamrad-Streubel L, Haase L Int Arch Occup Environ Health. 2023; 97(2):121-132.

PMID: 38110551 PMC: 10876725. DOI: 10.1007/s00420-023-02035-x.

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