Timber-colonizing gram-negative bacteria as potential causative agents of respiratory diseases in woodworkers

Occurrence Gram-negative bacteria occur commonly in the inner tissues of stored coniferous and deciduous timber, showing a marked variation in numbers. The greatest maximal numbers are found in the sapwood of coniferous timber. The common constituents of the Gram-negative biota are potentially pathogenic species of Enterobacteriaceae family of the genera Rahnella, Pantoea, Enterobacter, and Klebsiella. The air of wood-processing facilities is polluted with the wood-borne Gram-negative bacteria and produced by them endotoxin, as demonstrated worldwide by numerous studies. Effects There are three potential pathways of the pathogenic impact of wood-borne Gram-negative bacteria on exposed woodworkers: allergic, immunotoxic, and infectious. Allergic impact has been underestimated for a long time with relation to Gram-negative bacteria. Hopefully, the recent demonstration of the first documented case of hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP) in woodworkers caused by Pantoea agglomerans which developed in extremely large quantities in birch sapwood, would speed up finding of new wood-related cases of HP caused by Gram-negative bacteria. The second pathway is associated with endotoxin, exerting strong immunotoxic (excessively immunostimulative) action. It has been demonstrated that endotoxin is released into wood dust in the form of nano-sized microvesicles, by peeling off the outer membrane of bacteria. Endotoxin microvesicles are easily inhaled by humans together with dust because of small dimensions and aerodynamic shape. Afterwards, they cause a nonspecific activation of lung macrophages, which release numerous inflammatory mediators causing an inflammatory lung reaction, chest tightness, fever, gas exchange disorders, and bronchospasm, without radiographic changes. The resulting disease is known as “Organic Dust Toxic Syndrome” or “toxic pneumonitis.” The potential third pathway of pathogenic impact is infection. The suspected species is Klebsiella pneumoniae that may occur commonly in wood dust; however, until now this pathway has not been confirmed. Conclusion Summarizing, Gram-negative bacteria-inhabiting timber should be considered, besides filamentous fungi and actinobacteria, as important risk factors of occupational disease in woodworkers that could be either HP with allergenic background or toxic pneumonitis elicited by endotoxin.

Diagnosis of Ailment in Gaseous Matrix (Air) at Operation Suite – A Detailed Insight

Operation suite in hospitals is an environment where airborne microorganisms spread quickly. In operation suites airborne microorganisms spread through wounds of the patients, surgical instruments and gloves, air conditioner etc. Various health effects such as, gasping irritation and nonspecific symptoms, inhaling infections, asthma and allergy, Bagassosis and organic dust toxic syndrome, and chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases are created by these airborne micro organisms. So in order to reduce or avoid this problem it is essential to monitor the quality of air in operation suites and also to reduce the effects of airborne microbes. This study aims to show the different methods which can be adopted to bring down the serious consequences of airborne microorganisms on the individuals who are in the operation suite.

Organic Dust Toxic Syndrome (ODTS)

Organic dust toxic syndrome (ODTS) was manifestation of some acute symptoms, (same with acute hypersensitivity pneumonitis or extrinsic allergic alveolitis) with initially by flu like syndrome that were fever, malaise, myalgia, dry cough, dyspnea, and headache after exposure of organic dust in several hours. Etiology of ODTS usually from agricultural environment like hay, grain, straw, moldy, pollen, mycotoxins, bacteria and endotoxin. Organic dust toxic syndrome (ODTS) spontaneous recovery without sequele if patients avoid organic dust exposure immediately and avoid recurrent exposure. The best treatment were supportive therapy and preventive therapy from that etiology.Key words: ODTS, pneumonitis hipersensitif

Evaluation and comparison the incidence of respiratory diseases in poultry and livestock breeders in yazd

Background and aim: Farmers that have occupational exposed to the organic dust, bacteria, endotoxin, mites, and fungi, as well as the hazardous gases such as ammonia, sulfides, hydrogen and nitrogen oxides, may be affected by allergic asthma, non-allergic rhinitis, and organic dust toxic syndrome. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of respiratory symptoms and spirometry parameters between the two groups of livestock breeders and ranchers farmers. Material & Method: The cross-sectional descriptive-analytic study was performed in Yazd on a 300 agricultural men. The questionnaire includes demographic information including age, work experience, cigarette smoking, the type of agricultural activity and respiratory symptoms among farmers. Pulmonary function tests of all farmers were performed in a sitting position after the animals were fed. Moreover, indicators of FVC, FEV1, FEV1 / FVC, PEF25-75 were measured. T-test test data for the logistic regression analysis was used. Findings: The results showed that respiratory capacity in the poultry is less than livestock breeder's. Cough, sputum prevalence of respiratory symptoms such as shortness of breath, wheezing and rhinitis in poultry was significantly higher than those in other groups were. The highest prevalence was related to nasal allergies [(OR=5.04 (2.7-9.4)]. Respiratory symptoms increased with age exception of nasal allergies. Comparison the age group showed 3.3 increased times Cough [(OR=3.3 (1.74-6.3)] and 2.5 sputum [(OR=2.5 (1.05-6.21)] in the age group 75 to 55 years age group 34-20 years, respectively. the prevalence of respiratory symptoms was higher in smokers than non-smokers, so that the incidence of cough, sputum, shortness of breath, wheezing and rinite allergic the This group, , 64/1, 5/1, 46/1, 7/1 and 75/1 times more than non-smokers respectively but this association was not statistically significant. Conclusion: Due to the high prevalence of respiratory symptoms in farmers, agricultural mechanization promotion of health knowledge of farmers by implementing appropriate training programs is necessary. Keywords: Respiratory disorders, Farmers, Poultry, livestock breeders, Spirometry

Implications in the health of workers in swine confinement buildings - effects on the respiratory system

Confinement units are commonly used all over the world to raise pigs. Despite their economic advantages, their microenvironment causes severe adverse effects on the health of farm workers. Respiratory complaints which have been associated with the exposure effects of organic dust and confinement gases on humans who have long-term employment into these settings, are reviewed. These include pulmonary function changes, airways imfiammation, mucosa irritation syndrome and organic dust toxic syndrome. Furthermore, the most important zoonoses which may provoke respiratory symptoms to the swine confinement workers are briefly reviewed. It is believed that these conditions can be prevented by improving air quality, husbandry systems and adopting hygiene measures.

Extrinsic allergic alveolitis-causing actinomycetes in indoor and farm environments

Suspended airborne particles, of biological origin, can constitute bioaerosols1,2 and they can be of different origin ranging from farm environments dealing with hay, sugar cane, tobacco, mushroom and cotton to refuse disposal sites to military equipment test chambers. These bioaerosols might carry allergenic and pathogenic agents like viruses, spore forming bacteria and fungi, excreta of insects and mites, moss and fern spores, algal and plant cells; enzymes, antibiotics, endotoxins, mycotoxins and fungal glucans1. Although infections from pathogenic viruses, bacteria and fungi may occur in these work environments the commonly reported symptoms relate to allergic rhinitis and asthma, allergic alveolitis (granulomatons pneumonitis) or organic dust toxic syndrome (inhalation fever or toxic pneumonitis)1,2. This article will only provide an overview on the non-infectious lung diseases resulting from long-term exposure to the spores of thermoactinomycetes of the order Bacillales and thermophilic actinomycetes of the order Actinomycetales in indoor and farm environments.

Bio-effects Monitoring of Workers in the Cotton Industry

There is still unprotected and continuous exposure to cotton dusts, endotoxins, chemicals due to chemical and mechanical processes and to ergonomic hazards in the cotton industry of Pakistan, resulting in different types of public health problems in cotton workers. The aim of the study is to determine the prevalence of byssinosis and other public health problems in cotton factories of Faisalabad; to measure cotton dusts and endotoxins in different cotton factories and to correlate their effects on lungs via Pulmonary Function Tests (PFTs) and to determine cytotoxic and genotoxic cellular effects in buccal cells due to long term exposure to cotton dusts and endotoxins in exposed cotton workers against a controlled/non-exposed group. Public health problems and occupational safety will be assessed via a structured check list. A structured questionnaire will be administered to 800 cotton workers to determine the prevalence of byssinosis and other health problems. PFTs will be performed on selected exposed cotton workers. Cotton dusts and endotoxins will be measured in different sections of different cotton factories. Buccal cells will be collected from 50 exposed cotton weavers and also from similar numbered matched controlled/non-exposed group. The organic cotton dusts contain endotoxin which is associated with acute and chronic inflammation of the respiratory tract, resulting in decline in lung function and in a clinical condition called “byssinosis”, organic dust toxic syndrome and chronic airway obstruction. As the exposure leads to inflammation, so there may be cytotoxicity in buccal cells.