Open AccessAllergic profile of Congolese individuals exposed to flour dust as compared with a non‐exposed work group
Author(s) -
Tshipukane Dieudonné Nyembue,
Kembia Eliseé,
Lusamba Léonie,
Nkoy Marie Jeanne,
Kamanga Boniface,
Kayembe JeanMarie,
Vanoirbeek Jeroen,
Scheers Hans,
Buntinx Frank,
Hellings Peter,
Jorissen Mark
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
clinical and translational allergy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.979
H-Index - 37
ISSN - 2045-7022
DOI - 10.1186/2045-7022-3-s2-p9
Subject(s) - medicine , wheat flour , allergy , mite , asthma , aeroallergen , sensitization , allergen , food science , immunology , biology , botany
Results Workers that were directly exposed to flour dust showed a prevalence of rhinitis (57.4%), rhinoconjonctivitis (43.5%), and nocturnal cough (11.0%) significantly higher than the indirectly exposed (43.5%, 14.7% and 5.4%) and controls (37.3%, 11.6% and 6.3%), all p<0.05. 36.8% of flour dust directly exposed workers showed positive SPT to at least one allergens, that was significantly lower than 44.2% of controls. DPT and cockroaches were the most prevalent allergens in all groups. Storage mite was more prevalent among workers directly exposed, while pollen mix, sunflower pollen and crab were more prevalent in controls. Within the directly exposed group, sensitization to manioc flour was higher among individuals exposed to manioc and/or maize flour than those exposed to wheat flour. Of individuals reporting rhinitis, 37.0% showed positive SPT results. In multivariate analysis, direct exposure to flour, neighborhood of flour mill and mice in the house significantly increased the risk of having airway symptoms. Mice in the house increased the risk of sensitization. However, cooking with electricity was negatively associated with both airway symptoms and sensitization. Conclusion Although sensitization was lower in the directly exposed group, this study showed that flour dust constitutes an increased risk for having airway symptoms compared to controls. Flour dust control measures is needed at workplace.