Association of Endotoxin and Allergens with Respiratory and Skin Symptoms: A Descriptive Study in Laboratory Animal Workers.
(2017) Annals of Work Exposures and Health — Vol. 61, n° 7, p. 822-835 (2017)
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- (en) BACKGROUND: In laboratory animal work, allergens are classically considered to play a prominent role in generation of respiratory and skin symptoms. However, recent development may have changed working conditions and require an updating of preventive measures. OBJECTIVE: In workers exposed to a range of animals besides laboratory mice and rats the relative role of endotoxin, irritants, and allergens in symptom generation was assessed for updating preventative measures and health surveillance. METHODS: Eligible workers were recruited from university units in which exposure to rats and/or mice, occurrence of respiratory and/or skin symptoms, and/or a history of animal bites had been reported. Exposure to endotoxin and rat and mouse allergen was assessed (71 half-day personal samples). 'Symptomatic' was defined by work-related ocular, nasal, respiratory, or skin symptoms. A concentration of specific IgE against rat or mouse (e87 and e88) ≥0.35 kU/l defined sensitization. Sensitivity analyses examined the effect of alternative exposure indicators and definitions of 'sensitized' and 'symptomatic'. RESULTS: From 302 eligible workers, 177 participated. There were 121 and 41 workers in the asymptomatic and non-sensitized and symptomatic but non-sensitized group, respectively. Eight subjects were symptomatic and sensitized. Six sensitized subjects were asymptomatic. One participant could not be assigned to a subgroup. Airborne endotoxin and allergen concentrations were mostly below 20 EU m-3 or the detection limit, respectively. Clinical history showed that irritants and sensitizers other than mouse/rat allergen or endotoxin were a major cause of symptoms. Results were sensitive to the selected exposure indicator and the definition of 'symptomatic'. CONCLUSIONS: Health surveillance programs need to be adapted to include a larger range of allergens and pay more attention to irritants.
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Oppliger, A., Barresi, F., Maggi, M., Schmid-Grendelmeier, P., Huaux, F., Hotz, P., & Dressel, H. (2017). Association of Endotoxin and Allergens with Respiratory and Skin Symptoms: A Descriptive Study in Laboratory Animal Workers. Annals of Work Exposures and Health, 61(7), 822-835. https://doi.org/10.1093/annweh/wxx048 (Original work published 2017)