Premium
Clinical and immunologic findings of methylene diphenyl diisocyanate‐induced occupational asthma in a car upholstery factory
Author(s) -
Hur GY.,
Koh DH.,
Choi GS.,
Park HJ.,
Choi SJ.,
Ye YM.,
Kim KS.,
Park HS.
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
clinical and experimental allergy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.462
H-Index - 154
eISSN - 1365-2222
pISSN - 0954-7894
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2222.2008.02935.x
Subject(s) - medicine , occupational asthma , asthma , immunoglobulin e , allergy , immunology , atopy , sputum , inhalation , antibody , occupational medicine , pathology , anesthesia , epidemiology , tuberculosis
Summary Background Although methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (MDI) is widely used in many industries, there have been few immunological studies of MDI‐induced occupational asthma. Objectives We investigated the effects of MDI exposure on the clinical and immunologic condition of workers in a single car upholstery factory. Methods Fifty‐eight MDI‐exposed workers were studied. Work‐related lower‐respiratory symptoms (WRRS) were identified using a questionnaire. Serum‐specific IgE and IgG antibodies to MDI‐human serum albumin conjugate were detected by ELISA. Atopy was evaluated using a skin prick test. MDI‐induced occupational asthma was confirmed in the symptomatic workers with a positive result on an MDI‐specific inhalation test. Results Thirteen (22.4%) of the subjects complained of WRRS. MDI‐induced occupational asthma was confirmed in five (8.6%) of the workers, and occupational eosinophilic bronchitis was confirmed in two (3.5%). The prevalence of specific IgG antibodies (20.7%) was higher than that of specific IgE antibodies (8.6%). The prevalence of MDI‐induced occupational asthma/eosinophilic bronchitis was strongly associated with the presence of both WRRS and serum‐specific IgG antibodies to an MDI‐human serum albumin conjugate ( P <0.01, <0.05, respectively). Conclusion These findings suggest that MDI could be a causative agent of occupational asthma among MDI‐exposed workers. The prevalence of MDI‐induced occupational asthma was 8.6%, and MDI‐induced eosinophilic bronchitis was confirmed in two workers. The presence of work‐related lower‐respiratory symptoms and serum‐specific IgG antibodies to an MDI‐human serum albumin conjugate may be used to predict MDI‐induced occupational asthma/eosinophilic bronchitis in MDI‐exposed workers.