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Biomedical subjects

A Innocenti

Publications and source records attributed to A Innocenti.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMedDate not supplied

[Health intervention in ex-asbestos exposed workers according to the Toscana region operative guidelines].

A study carried out on the mortality of over 3700 individuals who worked in a factory making railway rolling stock, in which crocidolite was used to insulate the coaches from the end of 50's to the end of 70's, was summarized. The clinical data, checked by best evidence method, show that the pleural plaques on HRCT are the best indicator of past asbestos exposure rather than asbestos bodies or free asbestos fibers in BAL.

Asbestos↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Assessment of asbestos exposure, mortality study, and health intervention in workers formerly exposed to asbestos in a small factory making drying machines for textile finishing and the paper mill industry in Pistoia, Italy].

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Three malignant pleural mesotheliomas occurred among workers of a small factory that manufactured drying machines for the textile and paper mill industries using asbestos cement (crocidolite, amosite and chrysotile) as insulating panels. The Occupational Medicine Unit of the Local Health Unit of Pistoia, Italy, carried out an intervention programme in the plant in order to 1) assess past asbestos exposure via analysis of the fibre content of samples from drying machines, and of dust samples collected in the factory. Information on the characteristics of occupational exposure was also collected; 2) investigate cancer mortality by means of a mortality study of the employees and, 3) carry out a health intervention programme in workers formally exposed to asbestos in the past. METHODS: Samples from the drying machines and dust samples collected in the factory were analysed using X-ray diffractometric methods. Information on the characteristics of occupational exposure were collected by interviewing plant workers. Two-hundred and fifty employees who had worked in the factory between 1962 and 2000 were included in the mortality study. Follow-up was performed from 1962 to 2002. Health intervention in workers exposed to asbestos in the past involved general practitioners and occupational physicians (first level medical examinations); pneumologists and radiologists (second level medical examinations) of the local health unit. RESULTS: Asbestos fibres were found both in samples from drying machines and in dust samples collected in the factory. Interviews with workers showed that asbestos exposure varied considerably. The SMR for mesothelioma and lung cancer in 234 male workers were 37.0 (95%CI: 4.47-130.0), and 1.29 (95%CI: 0.26-3.78), respectively, based on mortality rates for Tuscany region. Sixty-two workers underwent first level medical examinations; 57 second level examinations. Chronic obstructive lung disease was found in 3 workers; restrictive lung disease was found in 3 employees, one of whom had pleural plaques. CONCLUSIONS: Further investigation is needed in order to identify unknown asbestos exposures in small metal engineering factories.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Longitudinal changes of pulmonary function in workers with high wood dust exposure levels].

BACKGROUND: It is well know that wood dust exposure can induce sino-nasal cancers, rhinitis and asthma; induction of chronic bronchial obstruction, pulmonary fibrosis and lung cancer are also suggested, but data are often inconclusive and in disagreement. OBJECTIVES: The study evaluated the decrease in lung function in a group of 31 non-smokers exposed to high levels of wood dust (> 5 mg/m3 also) and in 2 non-smokering control groups with comparable lung function tests at first examination: 39 mechanical workers without respiratory hazards (group 1) and 30 forestry workers (group 2). METHODS: Assessment of lung function was repeated at least 5 times during 11.2 +/- 2.4 years for wood workers and 12.3 +/- 4.2 years for group 1 (n.s.) and 15.0 +/- 2.6 years for group 2 (p < 0.0005). Linear regression for annual loss of VC and FEV1 was calculated from observed data for each subject. RESULTS: No significant differences were observed in VC loss or FEV1 loss between woodworkers and control group1 (20.67 +/- 16.9 vs 19.0 +/- 23.2 and 31.37 +/- 22.3 vs 36.2 +/- 22.4 ml/year respectively), while control group 2 showed an accelerated (p < 0.005) VC and FEV1 loss (32.8 +/- 22.1 and 46.6 +/- 21.2 ml/years respectively). In conclusion, the study did not show any alterations in the longitudinal decrease in pulmonary function due to high wood dust exposure levels, perhaps due to the poor inhalability of wood particles that are mostly trapped in the nose; further studies are needed to investigate chronic effects of wood dust exposure on development of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, pulmonary fibrosis and also lung cancer.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Asthma and systemic toxic reaction due to cabreuva (Myrocarpus fastigiatus Fr. All.) wood dust.

A 48-year-old parquet floor layer suffered from an attack of asthma at work and systemic toxic reaction after exposure to cabreuva wood dust (Myrocarpus fastigiatus Fr. All.). Exposure to the same dust in hospital produced a late asthmatic reaction with fever, vomiting and myalgia. Leucocytosis with neutrophilia was present after a bronchial provocation test but no radiological changes were observed. A control bronchial provocation test with fir wood dust was negative. It was not possible to study the systemic toxic reaction further due to non-collaboration of the patient; nevertheless, these findings show that systemic reactions to wood dust should always be investigated even though their occurrence is fortunately rare.

Asthma↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Occupational asthma caused by inhalation of cuttlefish bone dust].

This report describes a new case of occupational asthma in a goldsmith. A 25-year-old female suffered attacks of urticaria and asthma at each exposure to the dust of cuttle-fish bone used to polish gold jewellery. A specific occupational bronchial provocation challenge showed a dual asthmatic response with a maximum fall in FEV1 of 26% of the baseline value after 6 hours. A prick-test with crude cuttle-fish bone dust in glycerin 10% also gave a positive response.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Occupational bronchial asthma: an emerging problem].

The overall prevalence of occupational asthma is unknown. It has been estimated that 15% of all adult asthmatics suffer from asthma caused by occupational exposure. The prevalence of occupational asthma varies depending on the nature of the industrial agent, the concentration of exposure and working conditions. In Italy diisocyanates and flour dusts are the commonest causes (60%) of occupational asthma. The diagnosis of occupational asthma is made by confirming the diagnosis of bronchial asthma and by establishing a relationship between asthma and the work environment. History and measurement of non-specific bronchial hyperreactivity are useful to establish a clinical diagnosis, while skin (or serologic) tests with the appropriate extract may be useful in the identification of the responsible agent (high molecular weight compounds such as protein). With low molecular agents (e.g. diisocyanates, wood dust, colophony) the specific bronchial provocation test in hospital or the measurement of lung function tests at work ("stop-resume" test) are required. There are few follow-up studies of patients with occupational asthma; all of them show that only 40% (mean) of the patients completely recover after cessation of exposure. Atopy (one or more skin prick tests positive to common allergens) is not sufficiently discriminative for screening purposes when a person enters a new occupational environment where an occupational asthma agent is present. Preemployment screening is useful to define the higher risk workers: atopy may be used as an indication for more frequent or more strict monitoring in periodic medical surveillance.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Late asthmatic reactions due to larvae of Calliphora erythrocephala used as fishing bait.

Clinical characteristics of allergic asthma due to inhalation of insect antigens have been investigated very little. We describe two patients presenting with dyspnoea and wheezing several hours after exposure to larvae of Calliphora erythrocephala used as fishing bait. Both patients had a positive intradermal skin test and a high level of circulating IgE to the specific allergen. Bronchial challenge test with the whole larvae resulted in an isolated late response in one case, and in a dual response in the other, which were prevented by premedication with DSCG or beclometazone. The occurrence of late asthmatic reactions may render it difficult for the identification of insect antigens as the causal agent of extrinsic allergic asthma.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Specific bronchostimulation tests in occupational medicine].

A review of the literature about specific bronchial provocation tests in occupational asthma was made. The Authors focus on some problems related to the methods of exposure; furthermore, in separate chapters the bissynosis and the relationship between specific and aspecific hyperresponsivity are dealt with. The Authors conclude that it is necessary a standardization of the methods for the reproducibility of the tests, and, as in aspecific hyperresponsivity, so also the specific responsivity may be quantified in dose-response curves.

Allergens↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[The provocation test in extrinsic allergic alveolitis].

The Authors review the use of provocation test, added to other diagnostic procedures, in the study of extrinsic allergic alveolitis (E.A.A.). In the light of the still present uncertainty on the pathogenesis of the disease and on the ethics of these tests, the Authors assert that the provocation tests in E.A.A. are inadvisable because on the one hand they are uncertain as regards execution and evaluation and on the other hand they are dangerous for the patient.

Allergens↗