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Biomedical subjects

G Moscato

Publications and source records attributed to G Moscato.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources
PubMedDate not supplied

A respiratory and allergy survey in textile workers employed in early stages of wool processing.

OBJECTIVES: To determine frequency and type of respiratory and allergic symptoms in textile workers employed in early stages of wool processing. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out in four wool textile mills. 202 subjects (n. 148 males, 54 females, mean age 38.9 yrs, SD 9.5) employed in early stages (combing, n. 138, carding, n. 64) of wool processing were examined and an environmental survey was carried out to determine the level of wool dust exposure. All subjects were submitted to clinical interview, spirometry and measurement of serum specific IgE (s-IgE) against extracts of two wool lots (Australia and New Zealand) by means of RAST. In the subjects with a positive questionnaire for allergic symptoms serum specific IgE for common pneumoallergens were measured (PHADIATOP test). RESULTS: We found higher air dust concentrations during carding operations (inspirable fraction-IF-: range 1.6-20 mg/m3; respirable fraction (RF): 0.5-6.9 mg/m3) and lower concentrations during combing (IF 0.3-0.7 mg/m3, RF 0.1-0.3 mg/m3). 70 out of 202 subjects (34.7%, n. 26 employed in carding and n. 44 in combing operations) reported work-related symptoms. Cutaneous itching was reported by 30 subjects, upper airway irritation by 24, ocular irritation by 17 and dyspnoea by 5. Globally 27 subjects (13.4%) had respiratory work-related symptoms. 12 subjects reported only seasonal respiratory symptoms not related to work. Within the group of 82 symptomatic subjects, 62 (75.6%) had serum specific IgE for common pneumoallergens. In the whole group (n. 202) mean basal FEV-1 was L 3.6, SD 0.9 (103.6% of predicted values). No significant difference was found in basal FEV-1 between carding and combing workers. No s-IgE against the two wool extracts was detectable in any of the 202 examined subjects. CONCLUSIONS: Our data show that in early stages of wool processing: 1) the overall frequency of respiratory work-related symptoms is low and does not seem to be related to the stages of processing, 2) symptoms are mainly nasal and/or ocular; 3) serum s-IgE against wool extracts are not detectable. We conclude that respiratory allergy risk in wool textile mills is low.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Occupational allergies: magnitude of the problem].

The prevalence of allergic diseases is progressively increasing, but the proportion attributable to occupational agents is not completely known. Most epidemiological data regards occupational asthma due to sensitising agents, which is the most common and frequently compensated occupational respiratory disease. The epidemiology of the so called "irritant asthma" and of occupational rhinitis is less clear, although rhinitis is often associated to asthma and/or precedes its clinical manifestation. The epidemiology of occupational allergic dermatitis has not been completely investigated as well. The present paper is introductory on some selected papers presented in the First Regional Conference on Occupational Allergic Diseases which has been held in Pavia in 1999 with the main goal of giving a picture of the situation of these diseases in our country.

Humans↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Sampling of allergens in dust deposited in the workplace].

Some workplaces share with domestic dwellings many characteristics favouring house dust mite growth. Moreover it has recently been shown that pets owners can bring allergens to public places with their clothes. So it is possible that significant exposure to indoor allergens can occur outside homes, at the workplace. The recent availability of immunoassays with monoclonal antibodies for indoor allergens has enabled many investigators to quantify exposure to such allergens in epidemiological studies. Analysis of allergens in settled dust is a simple method of quantification exposure to indoor allergens. The concentrations of indoor allergens in public places have already been investigated and high levels of indoor allergens have been reported. A study performed by our group in offices (banks and media) in different regions of Italy has also shown significant levels of indoor allergens. Thus, evaluating exposure to indoor allergens at the workplace is critical to evaluate risk factors for sensitization and elicitation of symptoms in sensitized subjects and such data help in addressing correctly the problem of reducing exposure levels.

Air Pollution, Indoor↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Respiratory occupational allergies: the experience of the Hospital Operative Unit of Occupational Medicine in Lombardy from 1990 to 1998].

A retrospective study on occupational rhinitis and asthma diagnosed in 7 occupational health institutes in Lombardia (North-West Italy) was performed using a standardized card. 141 cases of rhinitis and 281 cases of asthma due to sensitization to occupational agents were analyzed and their clinical characteristics, aetiology, diagnostic methods and associated allergic diseases were determined. In this population the most frequent agents of occupational rhinitis were wheat flour and latex, whereas those of occupational asthma were latex and isocyanate. More than half of the subjects had more than one clinical manifestation of allergy. In 92 out of the 281 asthmatic patients rhinitis was the first clinical manifestation, particularly in subjects sensitized to high molecular weight substances, and preceded, asthma by 12 months as a mean. Specific bronchial provocation tests were useful for the diagnosis of asthma in 153 of the asthmatic patients and 45 of them had an isolated late bronchial reaction following the specific stimulus. At diagnosis 61 subjects (21.7%) had FEV1 < 80% of predicted; factors associated to ventilatory impairment were sensitization to high molecular weight substances, duration of exposure to the sensitizing agent, persistence of exposure after onset of symptoms.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Prevention of occupational asthma.

Occupational asthma (OA) is a type of bronchial asthma due to causes and conditions attributable to a particular occupational environment. It is the most prevalent occupational lung disease in industrialized countries, accounting for approximately 5% of asthma in adults. Since OA has important medical, social and economic consequences, its prevention is mandatory, and the most important measure is primary prevention at the workplace. Control of environmental exposure can be realized by completely eliminating the causative substances, or, failing that, by reducing exposure to the lowest practicable levels. This goal may be achieved in a variety of ways, e.g. by automation of a process, improvement of ventilation, modification of the process or agents, and use of personal protection devices. However, the control of environmental exposure presents several difficulties. First of all, exposure levels that favour respiratory sensitization to high molecular weight (HMW) or low molecular weight (LMW) agents are not completely defined. There is a critical need for the development of methods able to quantify the airbone levels of sensitizing agents at the workplace and to establish limits of exposure for respiratory sensitization. Development of assays (e.g. immunochemical assays) able to quantify airbone allergen levels should facilitate determination both of exposure-response relationships and of exposure limits for preventing respiratory sensitization and development of OA. Quantification of risk at the workplace is also often rough and based on indirect markers of exposure. At present, the target for an optimal approach to the primary prevention of OA is the development of methods able to evaluate both the sensitizing and the asthmogenic properties of the substances before their introduction in the work environment.

Asthma↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Immunocytological and mineralogical study of bronchoalveolar lavage in a group of subjects exposed to asbestos.

Twenty-five subjects (24 males and 1 female, mean age 57.4 years) who have been exposed to asbestos underwent chest radiography, high resolution computed tomography (HRCT) of the chest, lung function tests and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) for evaluation of cell components (total cell count, percentages of macrophages, lymphocytes, neutrophil and eosinophil granulocytes and the lymphocyte subpopulations CD3+, CD4+, CD8+, CD19+ and HLADR+), soluble factors (IL-8, IL-10, IL-12 and MCP-1 in the supernatant) and concentration of asbestos fibre. The subjects were subdivided according to the degree of their exposure, to the concentration of asbestos fibres in the BAL and to chest X-ray findings using the I.L.O. classification (0/0pl, 0/1 and 1/0 and above). According to the exposure index, we showed statistically significant (p < 0.05) higher lymphocytes percentage in the BAL of subjects with moderate exposure and significantly higher levels of IL-10 (p < 0.05) in the supernatant of subjects showing an absence of asbestos fibres in their BAL. In the group of subjects with a 0/0 and 0/1 radiological profile, the cellular component of the BAL was characterised by a higher percentage of lymphocytes (p < 0.02), whereas a trend toward an increase in the number of neutrophils was noted in subjects with obvious pulmonary fibrosis. The percentage of neutrophils was inversely correlated with some parameters of respiratory function such as vital capacity (p = 0.03) and the partial pressure of oxygen (p = 0.05) in the blood. Investigating the cytokines in the supernatant of the BAL, we found a trend toward lower concentration of IL-10 in the group showing the worst radiological picture (I.L.O. > or = 1/0), and a statistically significant negative correlation between this cytokine and pO2 (p = 0.048). Concerning the other cytokines and chemokines studied (MCP-1, IL-8 and IL-12), no significant differences were found to be associated with the radiological profiles. There were, however, positive correlations between the concentration of IL-8 and the percentage of neutrophils (p = 0.038) and between the concentration of MCP-1 and the percentage of lymphocytes (p = 0.006). A negative relationship between the concentrations of IL-12 and IL-10 has been also observed (p = 0.028). This research allows us to hypothesise that IL-10 may have a pathogenetic role in the evolution of asbestosis.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

A multi-allergen ELISA screening method. Comparison with Pharmacia CAP system and Phazet skin prick test.

Eighty consecutive subjects, coming to our service as suffering from conjunctivitis and/or rhinitis and/or asthma, were investigated by a new multi-allergen enzymatic screening immunoassay (Profilo, Bio-Allergy, Rome, Italy) regarding to serum specific IgE for groups of inhalant allergens (Dermatophagoides, Parietaria, grasses, trees, animal danders). These groups include allergens which are most frequently responsible of allergy in our country. Indices of diagnostic accuracy of this assay were analyzed in relation to skin prick test (SPT, Phazet, Pharmacia), as in vivo reference test, and Pharmacia CAP System, as in vitro reference test, comparing the results achieved by these tests in the same group of subjects. Profilo showed high significant (p < 0.0005) correlations and satisfactory indices of diagnostic accuracy (sensitivity, specificity, predictive values of positive and negative, and efficiency) for the tested allergens with reference to both Phazet SPT and CAP System. In addition, the method appeared very rapid and simple, so that it could be performed in the physician's office.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

A case of indirect exposure to cat at school.

Indirect exposure to cat allergens may exacerbate asthma in sensitized subjects. We report a case of a 13-year-old girl referred to our Unit for cough, dyspnea, wheezing, chest tightness, nasal itching and obstruction during the past six months, with improvement during summer holidays. Skin prick tests were positive for cat and Alternaria alternata. She had no cats at home. Spirometry was normal and methacoline bronchial challenge was negative. PEF monitoring showed a mean value of 80% of the predicted value with a variability higher than 20% in a few occasions. At a follow up visit PEF recording showed an increase of 80 litres/min during a 2 weeks Christmas holidays, and a subsequent reduction after being back at school. At a further questioning we found that in her class there was a girl who owned 23 cats. It is likely that PEF and symptoms in our patient were affected by indirect cat exposure at school.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Exacerbation of asthma related to Eucalyptus pollens and to herb infusion containing Eucalyptus.

Eucalyptus is known as a potential cause of cutaneous diseases due to contact with oil or pollens, and of respiratory allergic diseases due to exposure to pollens. We report the case of a 30-year-old woman with asthma and rhinoconjunctivitis in which symptoms appeared to be exacerbated by Eucalyptus pollens and by ingestion of an infusion containing Eucalyptus. Specific IgE were positive for Eucalyptus pollens and negative for common aeroallergens. Our report shows that Eucalyptus may elicit asthma and rhinitis with an IgE-mediated mechanism both by inhalation of pollens and by ingestion of herb infusions, and suggests that care should be taken in administering herbal medications in asthmatic subjects.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Biological pollution and allergic diseases].

House dust mites, pets, microorganisms such as fungi and bacteria are the main causes of indoor allergens. The diseases correlated to the presence of these allergens are of increasing importance in public health as well as in occupational medicine. Indoor allergens are widespread in residential buildings as well as in public and in office buildings. Surveys conducted in Italian office buildings demonstrated detectable allergen concentrations in most of these buildings. In some cases, the concentrations were higher than the proposed risk threshold for allergenic sensitisation or for the elicitation of symptoms in allergic individuals. The health effects of exposure to indoor allergens mainly include allergic asthma and rhinoconjunctivitis caused by IgE reactions in predisposed subjects. Moreover, exposure to indoor biological agents can cause extrinsic allergic alveolitis or other effects such as the so-called "humidifier fever" due to contaminated humidifiers. Standardized methods for the measurement of indoor allergen levels are available, and may be useful for the diagnosis and treatment of individual allergic patients or for group studies in order to evaluate the relationship between allergen indoor levels and health effects or to assess indoor allergen levels in private or public buildings for preventative purposes.

Acari↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Allergic cutaneous diseases in hairdressers.

BACKGROUND: Hairdressers are commonly exposed to water, irritants, sensitizers, and are at risk of occupational skin diseases. Several cases of allergic contact dermatitis and contact urticaria in hairdressers have been described over the last few years. OBJECTIVES AND METHODS: The paper aims to report occupational agents which can induce allergic cutaneous diseases in hairdressers; moreover an analysis of the literature was carried out to review data concerning epidemiology, clinical evaluation, management and prevention. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Hairdressing carries a high risk of skin damage, especially for the hands. Allergic contact dermatitis is the most common disorder. Training represents a risk factor, while the role of atopy and nickel sensitivity as etiological agents is controversial. A great number of chemicals may induce allergic cutaneous diseases in hairdressers, such as nickel, thioglycolate, p-phenylendiamine (and other dye-related substances), persulphates, quaternary ammonium compounds, protein hydrolysates, surfactants, cyanoacrylates, latex, rubber haptens and others. Avoidance of further contact with the identified causal sensitizer(s) is the most important measure for management and prevention; to this end, a number of specific preventive strategies should be implemented.

Barbering↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Human health and air conditioning systems.

In air-conditioned buildings indoor air quality is closely dependent on the efficiency of air-conditioning and humidifier systems since these systems provide a suitable environment for the proliferation of microorganisms. Pollutants released by microorganisms are termed 'bioaerosols' and may be spread in the indoor environment through the air-conditioning system. Moreover, the tightening of the buildings in which central air-conditioning systems are usually located increases the levels of indoor pollutants. Both hypersensitivity and infectious diseases are associated with bioaerosol exposure, whereas the sick building syndrome (a complex of symptoms described among workers in modern office buildings which are hermetically sealed and mechanically ventilated) is very unlikely to have a bioaerosol component.

Aerosols↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Stress and the immune system].

A relationship between stress and immunological system was first recognized in animals over 50 years ago. Several stressors, both physical and chemical, have been shown to be capable of affecting the activities of immunologically competent cells, particularly T-cell and natural killer cells (NK). The data presently available show that in humans also psychic stressors, as a bereavement or a divorce, may produce the same effects. There is evidence that such effects are mediated both by corticosteroid system and opioids neuropeptides via specific receptors found on T-cells.

Adrenal Cortex↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Allergological risk factors of bronchial asthma and rhinitis in enclosed environments].

Environmental factors such as allergens and chemicals are known to play an important role in inducing asthma and rhinitis. Extensive studies on the indoor environment demonstrate that indoor home environment has a greater impact than outdoor or occupational environment. In the present paper the Author outlines the risk factors of asthma and rhinitis described up to date in the indoor environment. The possibility of an interaction between allergens, chemical and viruses in inducing asthma and rhinitis is discussed.

Air Pollution, Indoor↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Thyroid function in bronchial asthma].

The Authors report the results of an investigation on association between bronchial hyperreactivity to metacholine in asthmatic subjects and subclinical dysfunction of the thyroid gland. Although the T4 and free T3 values were higher in the control group than in asthmatic patients, all the hormone dosage results were within the normal range. These findings show that asthma is not associated with changes in thyroid function.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Risks of AIDS among health personnel (physicians, nurses, obstetricians)].

Health-care workers are exposed to risk of HIV infection. Blood and body fluids containing blood are the most important sources of HIV and the major risk for health-care workers occurs by incidental parenteral contact with these fluids. Therefore, the risk can be minimized by taking care to prevent injuries and by using protective barriers for mucous membranes and skin. However, the number of cases reported in literature with occupational HIV infection is extremely low.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗