Original scientific paper

Immunological status and respiratory function in swine workers

E. Žuškin ; Škola narodnog zdravlja »Andrija Štampar« Medicinskog fakulteta Sveučilišta u Zagrebu, Zagreb, Hrvatska
B. Kanceljak ; Institut za medicinska istraživanja i medicinu rada, Zagreb, Hrvatska
J. Mustajbegović ; Škola narodnog zdravlja »Andrija Štampar« Medicinskog fakulteta Sveučilišta u Zagrebu, Zagreb
B. Kopjar ; Škola narodnog zdravlja »Andrija Štampar« Medicinskog fakulteta Sveučilišta u Zagrebu, Zagreb, Hrvatska
J. Godnić-Cvar ; Institut za medicinska istraživanja i medicinu rada, Zagreb, Hrvatska

Abstract

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 the 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 < 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.

Keywords

allergens; immunological testing; in vitro experiments; respiratory symptoms; ventilatory capacity; swine breeding

Hrčak ID:

150955

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/150955

Publication date:

3.9.1991.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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