Biomedical subjects

B Kanceljak

Publications and source records attributed to B Kanceljak.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed1992

Immunological and respiratory changes in animal food processing workers.

A group of 35 men employed in the processing of animal food was studied to assess the relation between respiratory findings and immunological status. The most frequent positive skin prick reactions to occupational allergens were to fish flour (82.9%), followed by carotene (77.1%), corn (65.7%), four-leaf clover (62.9%), sunflower (54.3%), chicken meat (31.4%), soy (28.6%), and yeast (22.7%). Increased total IgE serum levels were found in 14/35 (40.0%) animal food workers compared to 1/39 (2.6%) in a healthy population (p less than 0.01). A significantly higher prevalence of chronic respiratory symptoms was found among the exposed workers compared to control workers. There was however, no significant difference in the prevalence of chronic respiratory symptoms between animal food workers with positive and negative skin tests to house dust or to fish flour or among those with increased or normal IgE (except for dyspnea). The frequency of acute symptoms associated with the work shift was high among the animal food workers but similar by immunological status. There were significant mean across-shift reductions for all ventilatory capacity tests, being particularly pronounced for FEF25. Workers with positive skin tests to fish flour antigen had significantly larger across-shift reductions in FEF25 than workers with negative skin reactions. An aqueous extract of animal food dust caused a dose-related contractile response of isolated guinea pig tracheal muscle in vitro. Our data suggest that, in addition to any immunological response animal food dust may produce in vivo, it probably also causes direct irritant or pharmacological reactions on the airways as suggested by our in vitro data.

Adult↗

PubMed1992

Immunological status and respiratory findings in furriers.

We studied 42 women occupationally exposed in the fur manufacturing industry (mean age: 34 years, mean duration of exposure: 11 years). The highest prevalence of positive immediate skin reactions to antigen of animal hair was found for marten (10%), followed by fox and lamb (7%), mink (5%), and Chinese lamb, domestic fox, and Chinese calf (2%). Precipitating antibodies were demonstrated for lamb (17%), astrakhan (14%), mink, domestic fox and skunk (12%), Chinese lamb (10%), and Chinese calf (7%). Increased total IgE was found in 9.5% of subjects. Chronic symptoms were consistently more prevalent among workers with positive skin tests and positive precipitins than among workers with negative tests. A high prevalence of acute symptoms during the work shift was found among furriers. The prevalence of these symptoms was higher among workers with positive precipitating antibodies than among those with negative studies but not for workers with positive skin tests. Mean acute reductions in ventilatory capacity over the work shift were recorded for most ventilatory parameters. In general, greater drops in respiratory parameters occurred in individuals with positive precipitins (e.g., FEV1: -6.5% vs. -2.8%; positive vs. negative precipitins) but not in those with positive skin tests. Our study suggests that workers in the fur manufacturing industry develop acute and chronic respiratory problems often associated with specific indicators of atopy.

Acute Disease↗

PubMed1992

Immunological findings and respiratory function in cotton textile workers.

Immunological parameters were studied in a group of 24 cotton textile workers. These were volunteers from a cohort of 106 (83 women and 23 men) previously studied textile workers. A group of 30 employees from a bottle packing plant served as a control for the immunologic studies. The subgroup of volunteers undergoing immunologic testing did not differ from the original cohort of textile workers in age, sex, smoking history, or prevalence of most chronic respiratory symptoms, nor were there any significant differences in baseline lung function or across-shift changes. The 24 cotton worker volunteers underwent skin testing with extracts of cotton dust and cotton seed. Eight of these 24 (33.3%) had positive tests, and 5 of the 8 had elevated serum immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels. Only one of the 8 skin-test-positive workers had symptoms of byssinosis. Only 1 of 30 control workers' skin tested with cotton extract reacted, and none had an increased serum IgE level (P less than 0.01). Both baseline lung function and across-shift changes did not differ between workers with positive and negative skin test reactions or between workers with normal and elevated IgE levels. Additionally, we studied the response in vitro of nonsensitized guinea pig trachea to cotton bract extract and demonstrated a dose-dependent contractile response. These data suggest that while immunological findings are frequent in textile workers, they correlate poorly with respiratory symptoms and function and may not be the basis for the airway obstruction seen in this disease.

Adult↗

PubMed1992

Immunological findings in hemp workers.

Immunological status and its relation to respiratory findings were studied in 42 female textile workers occupationally exposed to hemp dust and in 49 female control workers. Skin prick tests with hemp or flax dust extracts from different parts of the mill in hemp workers demonstrated the following frequencies of positive tests to antigens: a mixture of hemp and flax extracts (64%), followed by flax extracts (48%), hemp from combing machines (41%), hemp from carding machines (38%), hemp from spinning and weaving machines (33%), and hemp from softening machines (20%). The prevalence of positive skin tests to hemp or flax allergens in control workers was consistently lower, ranging from 21 to 5%. Increased total serum IgE was recorded in 35.7% of hemp workers compared to only 5.0% of control workers (P < 0.05). Hemp workers with positive skin tests had significantly higher prevalences of chronic respiratory symptoms than those with negative skin tests. There were, however, no differences for acute symptoms between workers with positive and negative skin tests. Across-shift changes and baseline lung function were not different when compared by immunologic status. We showed additionally that a water-soluble extract of hemp dust causes a dose-related contraction of nonsensitized guinea pig tracheal smooth muscle when studied in vitro. Our results suggest that frequent immunologic abnormalities can be documented in hemp workers but, with the exception of chronic respiratory symptoms, in general, these do not correlate with respiratory findings.

Adult↗

PubMed1992

[Monitoring of respiratory symptoms and pulmonary ventilatory function in sisal processing workers].

The prevalence of acute and chronic respiratory symptoms and ventilatory capacity was studied in 50 textile workers exposed to sisal dust. A follow-up study was performed 19 years later and included 20 workers out of the 50. The first study showed a considerably higher prevalence of all chronic respiratory symptoms in the exposed than in control workers although the difference was statistically significant only for chest tightness (P < 0.01). Comparison of the prevalence in the first and the follow-up study in 20 textile workers revealed a statistically significant increase in the rate of chronic cough, dyspnea, chest tightness and nasal catarrh. During the follow-up study the prevalence of almost all chronic respiratory symptoms was significantly higher in exposed than in control workers. Results of ventilatory capacity in 50 sisal workers showed acute reductions of FVC and FEV1 during work shift on Monday and the following Thursday. Comparison of the measured and predicted normal values demonstrated lower values in the follow-up study in comparison to those in the first study. The mean annual fall of ventilatory capacity tests was 0.027 L for FVC and 0.036 L for FEV1. Data suggest that long-term exposure to sisal dust may cause the development of chronic respiratory symptoms and lung function impairment in sensitive subjects.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1992

[Monitoring of respiratory function in hemp-processing workers].

In a follow-up study the prevalence of chronic respiratory symptoms and changes in ventilatory capacity were followed over a period of three years in 38 female and 28 male hemp workers in a textile industry. The prevalence of all respiratory symptoms was found to be increased. Significant acute reductions of ventilatory capacity were recorded during the work shift. The measured ventilatory capacity values were significantly decreased in comparison to predicted normal values. The mean annual decline of FVC (range: 0.014-0.065 L), FEV1 (range: 0.041-0.068 L), FEF50 (range: 0.020-0.220 L/s) and FEF25 (range: 0.030-0.140 L/s) was considerably greater than in healthy non-exposed subjects. The mean annual decline of all tests was considerably larger in workers with the symptoms of byssinosis than in those without such symptoms. Our data suggest that long-term exposure to hemp dust may cause the development of chronic respiratory symptoms and impairment of ventilatory capacity.

Cannabis↗

PubMed1992

[Immunologic reaction and ventilatory function in hemp-processing workers].

The relationship between immunological status and respiratory function was studied in 42 hemp workers and in 49 control workers. The highest prevalence of positive skin tests was recorded for a mixture of hemp and flax (64%), followed by flax (48%), hemp on a combining machine (41%), hemp on a carding machine (38%), hemp on spinning and weaving machines (33%), and hemp on a softening machine (20%). The prevalence of positive skin tests in control workers was smaller and varied from 21 to 5%. Increased IgE was found in 35.7% of the hemp workers and in 5.0% of the controls (P less than 0.05). Hemp workers with positive skin tests had a significantly higher prevalence of chronic respiratory symptoms than those with negative skin tests. Acute ventilatory capacity reductions did not differ in respect to the immunological status. An extract of hemp dust caused a constriction of an isolated guinea pig tracheal smooth muscle in vitro. Our data suggest that hemp dust as well as producing an immunological effect may exert an irritant effect on the respiratory system in exposed textile workers.

Adult↗

PubMed1991

Immunological and respiratory changes in soy bean workers.

Immunological and respiratory findings were studied in a group of 19 male soybean workers. Twenty control workers also participated in the immunological studies. All soybean workers had positive immediate skin reactions to soybean extract, as did 19/20 control workers. Similarly, 18/19 soy workers reacted to soy antigen prepared after separation from oil, but only 3/19 to soy lecithin antigen and 1 to soy oil antigen. A majority of soy workers (13/19) reacted to house dust. Only 3/19 soy workers had increased levels of soy-specific IgE. The prevalence of chronic respiratory symptoms was higher in exposed than in control workers, being significantly different for dyspnea (P less than 0.01). Workers with increased specific serum IgE or positive skin tests to house dust did not have any more symptoms than workers with negative tests. Ventilatory function was significantly worse in soybean workers than expected. Nevertheless, workers with positive skin or serological tests to house dust had across-shift changes similar to those with negative tests. These data suggest that skin and airway responses to soybean components (particularly the non-lipid ones) are very frequent among soybean workers. In the current study specific (soy) and non-specific (house dust) skin tests and immunoglobulins did not allow us to identify the workers at risk of developing symptoms or lung function abnormalities. This suggests that in addition to any atopic mechanisms, the irritant effect of soy dust may play a role in this occupational airway disease.

Adult↗

PubMed1991

Immunological and respiratory findings in swine farmers.

The prevalence of respiratory symptoms and ventilatory capacity abnormalities in relation to immunological status was studied in 32 swine farmers and in 39 controls. A large number of swine farmers reacted to swine confinement building antigens (swine hair, 34%, swine confinement agents, 28%) but also to other extracts such as animal food (78%) and corn flour (37%). Control workers also reacted to these antigens in similar frequencies. Increased serum IgE levels were found in 3 swine farmers (9.4%) and all 3 had positive skin tests to at least one of the swine antigens. Among control workers one (2.6%) had an increased serum IgE level; this worker exhibited a positive skin reaction to swine food antigen. Swine farmers with positive skin reactions had across-shift reductions of FEF50 and FEF25 significantly larger than those with negative skin tests (P less than 0.01). Preshift measured ventilatory capacity data (FEV1, FEF50, FEF25) in swine farmers with positive skin tests were significantly lower (compared to predicted) than in those with negative skin tests. Additionally, we showed that a water-soluble swine confinement building antigen causes a dose-related contraction of nonsensitized guinea pig trachea smooth muscle studied in vitro. Our data indicate significant differences in lung function between swine workers with positive and negative skin tests. We suggest that skin testing may be helpful in identifying workers at risk for developing lung disease.

Adult↗

PubMed1991

[Immunologic findings and ventilatory function in cotton industry workers].

Immunological testing was carried out in 24 cotton workers and in 30 control workers. Skin prick test was performed with allergens prepared from cotton dust and cotton seed. Skin tests were positive in 33.3% and IgE level was increased in 62.5% of the cotton workers. Only two 3.3% had positive skin tests and none had increased IgE serum level. Ventilatory capacity in cotton workers with positive skin tests and those with negative skin tests was comparable. The same was true of the workers with increased and normal IgE levels. The effect of cotton dust extract on isolated tracheal smooth muscle of a guinea pig was an indication of a direct irritative action causing airway obstruction.

Adult↗

PubMed1991

[Immunologic changes and pulmonary ventilatory function in animal feed processing workers].

Respiratory symptoms and immunological reactions were examined in 35 animal food workers. The most frequent positive skin prick reactions occurred to fish flour (82.9%), followed by carotene (77.1%), cornflour (65.7%), four-leaf clover (62.9%), sunflower (54.3%), chicken meat (31.4%), soy (28.6%) and yeast (22.7%). The IgE serum level was increased in 40% of the animal food workers and in 2.6% of the controls. A significantly higher prevalence of chronic respiratory symptoms was found in animal food workers than in controls. However, there was no significant difference in prevalence of chronic respiratory symptoms between workers with positive and those with negative skin tests to house dust and fish flour or between those with increased and those with normal IgE levels (except for dyspnoea). There were significant acute across-shift reductions in ventilatory capacity, particularly for FEF25. The workers with positive skin tests to fish flour demonstrated significantly larger acute FEF25 reductions than those with negative skin tests. An extract of animal food caused constriction of isolated guinea pig tracheal smooth muscle in vitro. It appears that animal food dust in addition to immunological response may produce a direct irritative effect on the airways of exposed workers.

Adult↗

PubMed1991

[Immunologic and respiratory findings in workers on a pig farm].

The prevalence of respiratory symptoms and ventilatory capacity in relation to immunological status were studied in 32 swine workers and in 39 controls. A large number of swine workers reacted to antigen of swine hair (34%) and to swine confinement antigen (28%) but also to other antigens such as animal food (78%), and corn flour (37%). Control workers showed comparable prevalence in their reaction to these antigens (17%, 25%, 51%, 25%). Increased IgE serum level was determined in three swine workers (9.4%) and in one control worker (2.6%). Swine workers with positive skin tests demonstrated significantly larger acute reductions in FEF50 and FEF25 than those with negative skin tests (P less than 0.01). The ventilatory capacity data measured before shift in swine workers with positive skin tests were significantly lower than the predicted normal values. Swine confinement antigen caused a dose-related contraction of guinea pig smooth muscle in vitro. Our data indicate that non-immunological reactions may be partly responsible for the acute and/or chronic changes in respiratory function.

Adult↗

PubMed1991

Acute ventilatory response to green coffee dust extract.

The lung function response to inhalation of an extract of green coffee was studied in ten healthy subjects who were prescreened for airway hyperresponsiveness to an aerosol of green coffee extract. The effects of this provocation were evaluated at rest and following moderate exercise as well as with and without pretreatment with 80 mg of disodium cromoglycate (DSCG). There was a statistically significant decrement in lung function over time (P less than .001) following coffee provocation both at rest and following exercise. No significant protection against this response was observed with DSCG pretreatment. While the majority of these "healthy" coffee reactors exhibited baseline nonspecific airway hyperresponsiveness to methacholine (PC20 FEV1 less than 25 mg/mL in 7/10), there was no correlation in these ten subjects between baseline responsiveness to methacholine and the degree of lung function decrement following coffee (P greater than .05). Also, no correlation was observed between skin prick and lung function response to coffee extract. We conclude that inhalation of green coffee extract causes significant bronchoconstriction in selected healthy volunteers and that this response is not prevented by pretreatment with DSCG.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1991

[Monitoring of pulmonary ventilation function and respiratory symptoms in cotton-processing workers].

A follow-up study in cotton workers (35 female and 31 male) was performed ten years after the original cross-sectional study. The prevalence of byssinosis considerably increased during the follow-up study in female (22.9%; 42.9%) and in male (25.8%; 51.6%) workers. Similarly, the prevalence of almost all respiratory symptoms was significantly higher during the follow-up study than at the time of the initial study. Significant acute reductions of FVC and FEV1 during the work shift were recorded in both surveys. The mean annual decline in ventilatory capacity was greater than expected for both female (FVC: -0.036 L/year; FEV1: -0.059 L/year) and male workers (FVC: -0.059 L/year; FEV1: -0.068 L/year). The mean total airborne dust concentration was 3.95 mg/m3 with an average respirable dust concentration of 0.97 mg/m3. Our study demonstrated an association between exposure to cotton dust and increasing prevalence of respiratory symptoms and progressive impairment of ventilatory capacity.

Adult↗

PubMed1990

Respiratory symptoms and lung function in hemp workers.

Respiratory symptoms and abnormalities of lung function were studied in 84 female and 27 male hemp workers employed in two textile mills (A and B) processing soft hemp (C sativa). In mill A 46 women and 27 men were investigated and 38 female workers were studied in mill B. Forty nine women and 30 men from a non-dusty industry served as controls. A significantly higher prevalence of almost all chronic respiratory symptoms was found in female hemp workers when compared to control workers. Among the men these differences were significant for nasal catarrh and sinusitis. A high prevalence of byssinosis was found among female hemp workers in both mills (group A, 47.8%; group B, 57.9%) as well as in the male workers (66.7%). Statistically significant across shift reductions in lung function were found for all ventilatory capacity measurements in female and male hemp workers varying from 7.1% for forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) to 15.1% for flow rates at 50% vital capacity (FEF50). Measured Monday baseline values before the work shift were significantly lower than expected for hemp workers, being particularly reduced for FEF25 and FEF50. The data suggest that occupational exposure to hemp dust is a significant risk factor for the development of acute and chronic lung disease in workers employed in this textile industry.

Adult↗

PubMed1990

[Respiratory symptoms and ventilatory capacity in pig-farm workers].

A group of 59 swine farmers was studied to assess the prevalence of acute and chronic respiratory symptoms and ventilatory capacity changes. Among men there was a significantly higher prevalence of almost all chronic respiratory symptoms compared to the control workers. For female workers there was a significantly higher prevalence of chronic cough, dyspnea and chest tightness than in control workers. There was a high prevalence of acute symptoms during work shift among the swine confinement workers. Significant acute reductions were recorded for all ventilatory capacity tests being largest for FEF25 indicating obstructive changes mostly in smaller airways. All significantly lower ventilatory capacity data in male and FVC and FEV1 in women were found in comparison to predicted normal values. The results obtained indicate that exposure in swine confinement buildings may cause the development of respiratory symptoms and ventilatory capacity abnormalities.

Adult↗

PubMed1990

[Immunologic status, respiratory symptoms and ventilatory function in fur processing workers].

A group of 54 women employed in the fur processing industry and a control group of 31 non-furriers were examined. The highest prevalence of positive immediate skin reactions to antigen from animal hair was found for marten (10%), followed by fox and lamb (7%), mink (5%) and chinese lamb, domestic fox and chinese calf (2%). Precipitating antibodies were demonstrated for lamb (17%), astrakhan (14%), mink, domestic fox and for skunk (12%), chinese lamb (10%), and chinese calf (7%). Increased total IgE was found in 9.5% of the furriers. Chronic respiratory symptoms were more prevalent among workers with positive skin tests and positive precipitins than among those with negative tests. The prevalence of the acute symptoms was higher among workers with precipitins than in those without them. There was no such relationship between the symptoms and the results of skin tests. Acute reductions of ventilatory capacity over the work shift occurred in workers with positive precipitins but not in those with positive skin tests. Our study suggests that furriers can develop acute and chronic respiratory difficulties frequently associated with specific indicators of atopy.

Adult↗

PubMed1990

[Ventilatory capacity and respiratory symptoms in hemp-processing workers].

The prevalence of respiratory symptoms and changes in ventilatory capacity were studied in 84 female (mills A and B) and 27 male hemp workers employed in textile mills. Forty-nine women and 30 men from a non-dusty industry served as controls. A significantly higher prevalence of almost all chronic respiratory symptoms was found in exposed female workers compared to controls. For men the differences were significant for nasal catarrh and sinusitis. A high prevalence of byssinosis was found among female workers in both mills (A = 47.8%); B = 57.9%) as well as in male workers (66.7%). Statistically significant acute across work shift reductions in ventilatory capacity were found for all measurements in female and male hemp workers (P greater than 0.01) varying from 7.1% for FEV1 to 15.1% for FEF50. Measured Monday baseline values before the work shift were significantly lower than expected for hemp workers being particularly reduced for FEF25 and FEF50. The data suggest that exposure to hemp dust is a major risk factor for the development of occupational lung disease.

Adult↗