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PubMed1977

Farmer's lung: immunological response to a group of extracellular enzymes of Micropolyspora faeni. An experimental and field study.

Potent immunogenicity of certain extracellular 'chymotrypsin-like' enzymes of Micropolyspora faeni are demonstrated. One of them, Enzyme 1 seems particularly active in stimulating the formation of percipitins after intratracheal exposure in rabbits. Man or cattle exposed naturally to mouldy hay, either with or without clinical farmer's lung symptoms show a rather constant immunological reaction against Enzyme 1 and partly also against others of the same group. The detection of specific percipitins against these enzymes is not likely to improve the diagnostic value of the standard farmer's lung serology. Possible implications of these proteolytic enzymes in the pathogenesis of farmer's lung are discussed.

Animals↗

PubMed2026

Occupational exposure to 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) and associated oxidative and genomic biomarkers among soybean farmers: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) is a herbicide widely used for weed control in soybean cultivation. This study aimed to investigate hepatic and genetic damage biomarkers in farmers occupationally exposed to 2,4-D, widely used in soybean cultivation in southern Brazil (Rio Grande do Sul), in addition to estimate urinary 2,4-D concentrations as an indicator of recent exposure. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted, including 54 occupationally exposed farmers and 51 non-exposed controls (organic farmers). RESULTS: Urinary 2,4-D was detected in 88.5% of the exposed group versus 25% of the controls (p < 0.001). Creatine kinase (CK) was significantly elevated in the exposed group (p < 0.05), suggesting possible muscle injury, while AST and ALT (classical liver enzymes) did not differ between groups. Oxidative stress markers showed a clear pattern of redox imbalance, with increased TBARS (p < 0.001), increased CAT activity (p < 0.001), and reduced SOD activity (p < 0.001). Telomere length was significantly shorter in the exposed group (p = 0.001). Use of personal protective equipment (PPE) was reported to be inadequate. CONCLUSION: Occupational exposure to 2,4-D is associated with systemic oxidative stress and telomere shortening, even in the absence of transaminase elevation. This points to early hepatocellular vulnerability mediated by oxidative mechanisms rather than overt cytolysis. The study emphasizes the need for continuous monitoring of populations chronically exposed to chlorophenoxy herbicides.

2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid↗

PubMed1978

The diagnostic value of antibodies to the traditional antigens of farmer's lung in Finland.

Precipitating antibodies towards antigens associated with farmer's lung disease were studied in Finnish dairy farming and non-farming rural populations and the results were compared to those of serum samples of patients suspected of having a fungal allergy. The antigen panel consisted of Aspergillus fumigatus, Micropolyspora faeni and Thermoactinomyces vulgaris. All three microbes seemed to be important environmental inducers of antibody formation. The prevalence of antibodies towards all of them was higher in the patient group. The presence of A. fumigatus and T. vulgaris antibodies correlated best with the occurrence of respiratory disease. The difference in M. faeni antibody prevalence between patients and the control group was less significant. The results suggest that in Finland the relative importance of those microorganisms associated with farmer's lung disease may be different from that reported from other countries.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1978

Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) plasma levels in Michigan and Wisconsin dairy farmers.

Carcionogenic embryonic antigen (CEA) titers were determined for 611 Michigan farmers exposed to PBB and a control nonexposed population of 139 Wisconsin farmers. The overall prevalence of elevated CEA titers was slightly higher in the Michigan study group, but the difference was not statistically significant. Smoking and/or significant past or present conditions (inflammatory bowel disease, ulcers, polyps, liver disease, chronic lung disease, or malignancies) were found to result in higher prevalence of elevated CEA titers, in both the Michigan study group and the Wisconsin control group, thus confirming previous reports. In addition, serum PBB concentrations appeared to be positively correlated with CEA titers. The possibility that the effect of PBB concentrations appeared to be positively correlated with CEA titers. The possibility that the effect of PBB may be additive to that of other factors which are known to result in an increased prevalence of elevated CEA titers is discussed.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1978

Unanticipated prevalence of symptoms among dairy farmers in Michigan and Wisconsin.

Adverse human health effects resulting from exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls (PBBs) were unknown until the accidental contamination of Michigan dairy farm animal feed in 1973-1974. Human exposure resulted from the consumption of contaminated meat, milk, dairy products, and eggs. In November 1976, the Environmental Sciences Laboratory conducted comprehensive examinations of 933 farmers and residents in Mighigan who were likely to have consumed farm products contaminated with PBB. A comparison group of 229 Wisconsin dairy farmers were examined in March 1977 and the same scientific and medical staffs that conducted the Michigan survey were responsible and the same procedures used. A complete history of symptomatology by organ system, including year of first onset, duration, frequency, and severity of each symptom was obtained by a physician on all adults examined. Statistical analysis of the prevalence of symptoms at the time of examination or during the preceding year in the Michigan and Wisconsin populations studied found the Michigan group to have a significantly higher prevalence of skin, neurological and musculoskeletal symptoms. The increase was seen among the younger age groups 16-35 and 36-55. Michigan females had a higher prevalence of neurological symptoms than the Michigan males. The existing differences could not be explained without considering an etiologic role for exposure to PBB.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1975

Antibody responses in patients with farmer's lung disease to antigens from Thermoactinomyces vulgaris.

A serological analysis of mycelial antigens of Thermoactinomyces vulgaris in immunodiffusion with human sera revealed five individual antigens. Three antigens were proteins, sensitive to pronase and soluble in phenol. Two were cationic polysaccharides, sensitive to sodium periodate, and containing glucosamine and muramic acid. Latex coated with mycelial antigens was compared with precipitin tests in detecting antibodies to T. vulgaris; the number of positive results detected by each test differed slightly, and a combination of the two tests detected the highest number. Counterimmunoelectrophoresis (CIE) was shown to be a very sensitive method for detecting precipitins, but not for their measurement. A prospective evaluation of immunodiffusion, latex agglutination and CIE as potential serodiagnostic techniques for farmer's lung disease is suggested.

Actinomycetales↗

PubMed1979

Characterization of precipitin response to Micropolyspora faeni in farmer's lung disease by quantitative immunoelectrophoresis.

Sera from 12 patients with farmer's lung disease (FLD) drawn during an acute episode and displaying precipitins to Micropolyspora faeni were analyzed by crossed immunoelectrophoresis with an intermediate gel combined with a rabbit reference precipitate system. Forty-six precipitin arcs were identified in the reference system, and FLD sera reacted with 36 of these antigens. The FLD sera displayed significantly more precipitates and higher precipitin scores when compared with sera from 16 precipitin-positive subjectw who did not have FLD. However, there was overlap between the 2 groups, and neither measurement distinguished the 2 persons who became ill after challenge from one person who did not. Three disease specific antigens were identified that may have special relevance for pathogenesis of disease. Ten exposure-relevant antigens were also identified. We propose that these antigens be important components of a standardized M. faeni antigen preparation.

Chronic Disease↗

PubMed1979

Farmer's lung in early childhood.

A 5-year-old child with classic farmer's lung disease is reported. The disease started after a flulike episode and progressed during 3 months to severe respiratory failure. The clinical features were fatigability, weight loss, recurrent fever, dry cough, pulmonary rales, and clubbing. Serologic studies for precipitins to Micropolyspora faeni were positive. The chest roentgenogram showed a ground-glass appearance with air bronchogram. The open lung biopsy material was typical for alveolitis, with minute interstitial granulomas and obliteration of lung parenchyma. The child's condition improved rapidly with prednisone therapy and avoidance of the allergen.

Child, Preschool↗

PubMed1979

[Farmer's lung: comparison of the teleradiographic images and computerized tomographic (CT) images].

A critical and comparative analysis between chest radiograms and CT pictures in pulmonary fibrosis of various degree, occurring in farmer's lung, reveal that the latter are apt to give a somewhat more diversified informations about pulmonary changes as simple radiography. This would prove useful in evaluating the extension and distribution of anatomical changes due to fibrotic process, although as far not able to allow an earlier diagnosis.

Aged↗

PubMed1978

[Farmer's lung disease in the Aveyron department (a retrospective study of 82 cases)].

The authors present a retrospective study of 82 cases of farmer's lung disease in the Aveyron department. Observations were selected on precise diagnostic criteria classified on acute (8 cases), progressive (69 cases) and chronic alveolitis (5 cases). They observe an almost exclusive repartition in the bovine breeding areas, which are regions of large hay culture and of high humidity. They show the annual repartition of cases is strongly linked to the pluviometry of the previous hay-making. They underline the fact that the modernising of agricultural work reduces some factors favourable to the disease but can promote new ones.

Acute Disease↗

PubMed1978

[The problem "diagnosis" demonstrated on the example of farmer's lung].

Using the farmer's lung as an example, the various problems in establishing a diagnosis are discussed. The "instruments" of diagnosis such as history (exposition), functional parameters, macro- and micromorphology, and laboratory findings are described. The different criteria and their value, the compatibility of informations, and the quality of definitions ("fuzzy sets") are analytically evaluated--all this finally leading to the "quality" of diagnosis and of subsequent decisions.

Farmer's Lung↗

PubMed1978

[Chronic septic granulomatosis imitating exogenic allergic alveolitis (farmer's lung)].

A 17-year-old boy demonstrated clinical and immunological signs of exogenic allergic alveolitis (farmer's lung). The patient grew up in the country and suffered from recurrent "pneumonia." In his serum precipitins were detected against Micropolyspora faeni, Aspergillus fumigatus and hay. Transbronchially obtained lung tissue showed histologically an inflammation of the epitheloid-cell-granulomatous type with fibrosis. A congenital defect of the neutrophilic function was suspected in view of the recurrent infections with significant polyclonal hypergammaglobulinemia, accompanied by leucocytosis and neutrophilia. In vitro studies of isolated patient's neutrophils showed that he suffered from chronic granulomatous disease. CGD should be considered in adolescents and adults with a history of severe infections and unexplained pulmonary fibrosis or pulmonary fibrosis simulating exogen allergic alveolitis.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1979

On Ce, Clambda, and the effective wall material of a Baldwin-Farmer chamber.

An expression relating the constant A to the characteristics of an ionisation chamber is developed. This constant, used to obtain the mass ionisation from the instrument reading, appears in expressions for Ce and Clambda, and is a function of the chamber wall material. Measurements with a Baldwin-Farmer chamber are described, and indicate that the effective wall material is more nearly equivalent to Lucite than to air in 60Co gamma radiation. The resulting value of A is nearly 1.5% lower than the figure commonly used.

Construction Materials↗

PubMed1977

Sampling survey on brucellosis among farmers and their families in Ille-et-Vilaine (Brittany).

A three-stage sampling survey among farmers and their families living on farms in the department of Ille-et-Vilaine gave the following results: Among 490 persons examined 313 (64 per cent) showed a positive skin test and 105 (21 per cent) a positive serological reaction; 88 of the 105 patients ignored their health status, although 45 of these presented clinical symptoms (nine per cent). This survey is continuing in order to study the non-respondents and to better analyse the epidemiological situation at a farm level.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1977

The restless legs of a Nantucket farmer.

Ekbom's syndrome of restless legs is common but not restricted primarily to the elderly. Records of familial occurrence and association with several pathologic disorders preclude exclusive age-association. Most cases of the syndrome in the general population are seen in persons of middle or old age. Lack of awareness of the frequency of the syndrome and lack of an adequate dependable form of treatment attest the need for additional study. Historical documentation is one way of alerting the profession to the nature, frequency and lineage of a clinical disorder that requires an accepted form of amelioration. Notes from the 1870-73 diary of a Nantucket farmer are presented.

History, 19th Century↗

PubMed1979

Immunologic dysfunction among PBB-exposed Michigan dairy farmers.

In 1973 inadvertent contamination occurred in a special farm feed supplement for lactating cows. Polybrominated biphenyls (PBBs) were used in place of magnesium oxide resulting in serious harm to farm animals, including cattle, chickens, geese, ducks. Farm families, accustomed to eating their own products, were most heavily exposed. To further study the impact of PBBs, 45 adult Michigan farm residents who were originally examined in a clinical field survey were further studied with respect to their immunologic status. For comparison, 46 dairy farm residents in Wisconsin, who had not eaten PBB-contaminated food, were examined, as were 79 healthy subjects in New York City. Abnormalities in the Michigan group included significant decrease in absolute numbers and percentages of T and B-lymphocytes and increased number of lymphocytes with no detectable surface markers ("null cells"). Significant reduction of in vitro immune function was noted in 35--40% of the Michigan farm residents who had eaten food containing PBB. Despite the absence of any apparent numerical reduction, both T and B lymphocyte subpopulations of peripheral blood lymphocytes showed evidence of functional defect. Ten of the 45 Michigan farmers studied showed impaired PHA-induced blastogeneic response, due to the decreased number and percent of T-cells in the PBLs. The decreased immune function detected among the PBB-exposed farm residents tended to affect families as a unit and was independent of exposed individuals' age or sex, speaking against the possibility of genetic predisposition.

Accidents↗

PubMed1978

Together with the farmers: social and rural medicine in Japan.

Japan emerged from feudalism a century ago. Farmers comprise 20 percent of the population of 110 million. The agricultural cooperative movement sponsors 118 hospitals in rural areas. Of these, the Saku Central Hospital is the largest, and provides leadership to a vigorous rural health movement. Its unique outreach program and its contributions to rural health are described, together with remarks about Japan's health situation generally. There may be lessons here for America.

Agricultural Workers' Diseases↗

PubMed1978

PBB homologs in sera of Michigan dairy farmers and Michigan chemical workers.

In November, 1976 the Environmental Sciences Laboratory of the Mount Sinai School of Medicine, examined 1029 persons in Michigan for the potential health effects of exposure to PBB. Included in this group were 55 persons from Michigan Chemical Corporation and 237 farming families. Blood serum was analyzed for PBB. FireMaster FF-1 contains several bromobiphenyl components, the major constituent being approximately 60% 2,4,4,2'4'4'-hexabromobiphenyl. Other PBB homologs identifiable as peaks by gas chromatography--mass spectrometry include two pentabromobiphenyl peaks, three additional hexabromobiphenyl peaks, and two heptabromobiphenyl peaks. The relative concentrations, with respect to the major hexabromobiphenyl peak, of these minor constituents (1--20%) of PBB were different for persons from Michigan Chemical Corporation and for farmers. Penta-, hexa-, and hepta-bromobiphenyl components in serum samples analyzed from farming families from Michigan Chemical Corporation employees were compared with relative concentrations of these homologs in FireMaster mixture and in tissue and blood samples from rats fed FireMaster FF-1. Varying concentrations of these PBB components are attributed to different routes of exposure and the relative ease of metabolism and excretion of one pentabromobiphenyl component.

Animal Feed↗