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Biomedical subjects

F Conso

Publications and source records attributed to F Conso.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1990

Occupational exposure to amorphous silica dust and pulmonary function.

Respiratory manifestations among 41 workers exposed to amorphous silica dust were compared with a control group comprising 90 workers of equivalent socioeconomic state in the same plant. Flow volumes were determined, blood gas concentrations were measured at rest and during exercise, chest radiographs were obtained, and data about respiratory symptoms were collected by questionnaire. A dust exposure index was calculated for each exposed worker. It was not possible to differentiate between the two groups from the questionnaire, blood gas analysis, or chest radiographs. On the other hand, the tests of respiratory function showed a significant decrease in forced expiratory flow (FEF25-75, FEF50, and FEF75) in the exposed group compared with the controls, although no correlation was found between the exposure index and pulmonary function. It appears that smoking and exposure to amorphous silica synergise to induce small airway disease.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Toxicity of ethylene oxide on the lens and on leukocytes: an epidemiological study in hospital sterilisation installations.

An epidemiological study was conducted in 55 subjects (mean age: 41) in hospitals to determine the prevalence of lens opacities and cataracts in workers exposed to ethylene oxide in six sterilisation units. The 21 exposed subjects over 45 were then compared with 16 non-exposed subjects, matched for age and sex. The relation between occupational exposure to ethylene oxide and white blood cell concentrations was also investigated. Lens opacities (independently of visual acuity) were observed in 19 of the 55 exposed. Among both exposed and non-exposed aged over 45, there were no significant differences with regard to the characteristics of lens opacities--prevalence (19 in the 21 exposed; 10 in the 16 non-exposed), distribution of the location, and importance and type (opalescence or discontinuous opacities). No link was found between the characteristics of the lens opacities and the characteristics of exposure: habitual exposure, measured between 0.06 and 39 ppm (cumulated in ppm-number of weekly hours-years) and accidental over-exposures (regular and irregular). For cataracts, defined by the association of lens opacities and a visual acuity less than 20/25 (this loss not being attributable to another cause), their prevalence differed significantly (p less than 0.05) between the exposed (six of 21) and the non-exposed (0 of 16); there was no relation between their existence and overexposures (the analysis for habitual exposure was not possible because of the small size of the sample). The risk of lens opacifications by ethylene oxide in cases of massive exposures as previously described could also exist during chronic exposure to low concentrations. It could be explained by saturation of protective mechanisms against alkylating action of this product. Linear relations were found between the logarithms of blood concentrations of polymorphoneutrophils (R=-0.54; p<0.005) and of lymphocytes (R=-0.45;p<0.05).

Adult↗
PubMed1990

[Toxicity of ethylene oxide on the crystalline lense in an occupational milieu. Difficulty of epidemiologic surveys of cataract].

Ethylene oxide is a sterilizing gas for heat-sensitive materials. Eight cases of subcapsular cataract were attributed to this compound from 1982 to 1985. This epidemiological study was conducted in 55 persons to determine the prevalence of lens opacities and cataracts in workers exposed to this gas. The 21 persons of more than 45 years of age were then compared to 16 non-exposed persons matched for age and gender. Lens opacities (independently of visual acuity) were observed in 19 of the 55 exposed. Among exposed and non-exposed persons of more than 45 years of age, there were no significantly differences with regard to the following characteristics of lens opacities: prevalence (13 in the 21 exposed; 10 in the 16 non-exposed), distribution of the localisations, morphology and importance of the cortical opacities. No link was found between the characteristics of the lens opacities and the characteristics of the exposure: habitual exposure and accidental overexposures. For cataracts, defined by the association of lens opacities and a visual acuity less than 20/25 (this loss not being attributable to another cause), their prevalence differed significantly (p less than 0.05) between the exposed (6 of 21) and the non-exposed (0 of 16). There was no relation between their existence and accidental overexposures. The risk of lens opacification by ethylene oxide, established in cases of massive exposures as previously described, could also exist during chronic exposure to low concentrations, but is to be confirmed by other studies. It could be explained by saturation of the protective mechanisms against alkylating action of this product. This study prompted us to discuss the epidemiological difficulties in studies of cataracts.

Animals↗
PubMed1988

Gliomas and exposure to wood preservatives.

A case-referent study was undertaken to look for occupational risk factors among patients with glioma treated in a neurological hospital in Paris between 1975 and 1984. In the study group were 125 men with gliomas (aged less than or equal to 65) and 238 patients (also less than or equal to 65) admitted for non-neoplastic, non-malformative vascular diseases in the same department during the same period constituting the reference group. All diagnoses were confirmed by tomodensitometry. Information on occupational history was obtained from a postal questionnaire and from medical records. Comparison of cases and referents showed a significant excess risk among teachers (OR = 4.1) and a raised risk among wood workers (OR = 1.6). Four of nine cases of glioma who had been employed as wood workers reported that a colleague had suffered from glioma (those reports were confirmed by hospital records). None were reported among 11 referent wood workers. Using a complementary questionnaire on wood work, exposure assessment to wood preservatives and solvents showed that frequent exposure to organochlorine wood preservatives and to organic solvents occurred more often among cases than referent wood workers (p less than 0.10).

Adult↗
PubMed1988

Allergy and occupational exposure to hydroquinone and to methionine.

Respiratory manifestations have been reported after exposure to hydroquinone and to methionine. One hundred and three men in the same chemical plant were divided into three groups according to their exposure and compared by questionnaire, respiratory functional tests with methacholine then salbutamol challenges, and measurements of serum immunoglobulins G and E. Group H included 33 workers exposed to hydroquinone, trimethyl-hydroquinone, and retinene-hydroquinone. Group M included 15 workers exposed to methionine. Group C was a control group of 55 workers. The prevalence of respiratory symptoms was higher in the two exposed groups. Before challenges, pulmonary function values were significantly lower in groups H and M than those in group C. The challenges induced significant variations in the three groups but these variations were less pronounced in group M than in the other groups. The level of immunoglobulin G in group H (m +/- SD = 12.5 gram/liter +/- 2.6) was significantly higher than in group C (10.6 gram/liter +/- 2.4; p less than 0.002). The level of immunoglobulin E in group H (m = 140 IU/l) was also higher in group C (109 IU/l) but this difference was not significant. These findings suggest that exposure to methionine and to hydroquinone and its derivatives induce ventilatory impairment, perhaps by an immunological mechanism.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

Occupational exposure to animals and antibodies against Pasteurella multocida.

The relation between occupational exposure to cattle and prevalence of antibodies against Pasteurella multocida was evaluated in 680 workers. Three groups of exposed workers in abattoirs and slaughterhouses (S), in industrial breeding (I), and in traditional breeding (T) were compared with control workers not exposed to cattle or chicken (C). The prevalence of antibodies against capsular antigen A determined by indirect haemagglutination was significantly higher in the exposed groups (S: 26.2%; I: 29.0%; T: 32.1%) than in the control group (C: 14.0%). The prevalence of antibodies against capsular antigen D did not differ significantly between the groups. The prevalence of antibodies against one or more somatic antigens 1,2,3,7,8, or 9 was higher in the exposed groups with a significant difference only for group T versus group C (p less than 0.05). There was also a significant relation between antibodies against capsular antigen A and the contacts with pets. This high prevalence of antibodies against P multocida suggests that the infection is frequently subclinical and not only a disease associated with pets but also an occupationally related infection.

Abattoirs↗
PubMed1985

[Arsenous anhydride poisoning. Peripheral neuropathy and changes in cognitive functions].

The authors report the evolution over an 11 months period of a case of subacute intoxication with arsenic in a 30 years old woman. In addition to the classical peripheral neuropathy, we observed impairment of the superior neurological functions which improved together with the neuropathy. These malfunctions are rarely described in the literature although arsenic seems to cross the blood-brain barrier easily. There is no other explanation, and we believe arsenic to be responsible for these disturbances. We suggest systematic testing of the superior neurological functions in cases of arsenic intoxication.

Adult↗
PubMed1984

[Sideroblastic anemia, lead poisoning and wine from Bordeaux].

The detection of progressive sideroblastic anaemia over a period of weeks in a 58 year old woman led to the diagnosis of chronic lead poisoning confirmed by serum lead levels of 2 mg/l. The alimentary origin of the lead poisoning was proved by the finding of high lead levels in the wine which the patient drank excessively. An inquiry at the wine merchant's showed that the local wine was not responsible but that the foreign wine used to fortify the blend had been contaminated. Chronic lead poisoning in alcoholics which has already been widely reported and the demonstration of abnormally high lead levels in wine, rise the problem of regular statutory surveillance of lead levels in alcoholic beverages.

Alcoholism↗
PubMed1983

[Aromatic amines in the work environment and urothelial tumors].

According to existing cancerology registers, 6500 new cases of cancer of the bladder are diagnosed and treated each year in males in France (and 1800 in females). Less than ten or so of these are considered as occupational diseases, whereas in European countries with similar industrial development 5 to 10% of carcinomas of the bladder are ascribed to an occupational exposure or a carcinogen. There are several reasons why the occupational origin of these tumors often escapes recognition in our country in spite of adequate professional medical monitoring: the usually long time interval--averaging 20 years--between exposure to the carcinogen and apparition of the tumor; difficulties in eliciting the complete occupational history and in ascertaining, within this history, a possible contaminating exposure; the restrictive nature of the current list of occupational diseases which includes only carcinogens that have been known for many years; the possible interaction between several carcinogenic factors, especially involving tobacco. General practitioners must be made aware of the necessity of investigating the occupational history of patients with bladder cancer who are no longer followed-up by industrial doctors. The main risks are found in chemical industries, particularly the dye industry, textile industries, rubber industries, laboratory occupations and handling of raticides.

Amines↗
PubMed1983

Beneficial effects of dantrolene in the treatment of neuroleptic malignant syndrome: a report of two cases.

Two schizophrenic patients developed muscular rigidity, stupor, and hyperpyrexia consistent with neuroleptic malignant syndrome, 8 to 10 days after starting haloperidol therapy. Muscle rigidity was not affected by etybenzatropine or diazepam, but dantrolene, a direct-acting skeletal muscle relaxant, provided muscle relaxation with a concomitant decrease of fever and serum creatine kinase. Neuroleptic malignant syndrome and malignant hyperthermia are clinically similar, and dantrolene is effective in both; suggesting a muscular origin of fever in these two diseases.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1981

[Acute mercury vapour poisoning (author's transl)].

Two persons, exposed to high concentration of mercury vapour in their home developed a few hours later febrile illness with interstitial pneumonitis and mercurial stomatitis. Symptomatic treatment was associated with dimercaprol (BAL) and steroïds; an alveolar washing was performed to remove non-absorbed mercury in the respiratory three which seems to be responsible for the observed inflammatory reaction and, sometimes, the delayed development of fibrosis. A review of the literature revealed that such intoxications had been previously described in about 20 cases. Prognosis depends on the severity of the pulmonary lesions. Fatalities have been described in 9 cases (10%); in 8 cases the victims were young children or old people. An acute gingivo-stomatitis is generally observed. The onset of mercurial encephalopathy is an uncommon feature. Renal disturbances are exceptionally described and always mild. There is no correlation between the clinical condition of the patient and the levels of mercury in the urine.

Adult↗