Specific sensitization and respiratory effects associated with the inhalation of sugar cane dust were evaluated in a group of 51 Nicaraguan workers exposed to bagasse. A questionnaire interview, lung function test, serum precipitin tests for Thermoactinomyces sacchari and T. vulgaris, and immunoglobulin E tests for specific environmental allergens were performed for each worker. Twenty-one workers reported at least one respiratory symptom and 16 reported possible symptoms of bagassosis. Six workers demonstrated acute symptoms, 1 had chronic symptoms, and 9 had the reacutized form of the disease. A higher proportion of precipitin response to T. sacchari and T. vulgaris was found in workers reporting symptoms suggestive of acute bagassosis. A possible restrictive ventilatory pattern was observed in 8 subjects and a mild airway obstruction in 1 subject. Priority must be given to a surveillance and exposure prevention program for workers employed in sugar cane production and processing.

Respiratory health effects and immunological response to thermoactinomyces among sugar cane workers in Nicaragua.

ROMEO, Luciano;PERBELLINI, Luigi
2009-01-01

Abstract

Specific sensitization and respiratory effects associated with the inhalation of sugar cane dust were evaluated in a group of 51 Nicaraguan workers exposed to bagasse. A questionnaire interview, lung function test, serum precipitin tests for Thermoactinomyces sacchari and T. vulgaris, and immunoglobulin E tests for specific environmental allergens were performed for each worker. Twenty-one workers reported at least one respiratory symptom and 16 reported possible symptoms of bagassosis. Six workers demonstrated acute symptoms, 1 had chronic symptoms, and 9 had the reacutized form of the disease. A higher proportion of precipitin response to T. sacchari and T. vulgaris was found in workers reporting symptoms suggestive of acute bagassosis. A possible restrictive ventilatory pattern was observed in 8 subjects and a mild airway obstruction in 1 subject. Priority must be given to a surveillance and exposure prevention program for workers employed in sugar cane production and processing.
2009
sugar cane; bagassosis; Thermoactinomyces; precipitin
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11562/333571
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