An investigation of operating theatre staff exposed to humidifier fever antigens.

Abstract

Sixty staff working in a hospital operating theatre, where a case of humidifier fever had been identified, were studied together with 49 subjects working in other parts of the hospital. They each had a blood test for serology, a skin test, and a chest radiograph and completed a questionnaire. The theatre staff also had pulmonary function tests. The theatre humidifier was found to contain several organisms including amoebae and antigens cross-reacting highly with those implicated in previous outbreaks of humidifier fever. Of the 60 exposed subjects, 25 had developed antibodies, nine had probable symptoms of humidifier fever, and six possible symptoms. There was a strong association between symptoms and antibodies (p = 6 x 10-5 by Fisher Four subjects reacted to the challenge, including both those with antibodies and previous symptoms.

Relationships between Exposure to Spores from <i>Rhizopus</i> <i>microsporus</i> and <i>Paecilomyces variotii</i> and Serum IgG Antibodies in Wood Trimmers

“…Relationships of exposure to viable moulds and to total dust with IgG anti body levels have been shown in wood trimmers [13] and in pig farmers [26], respectively. Relationships of the anti body level with the assumed exposure intensity have been shown in pigeon breeders [27], in workers exposed to con taminated humidifiers [4,5], and in farmers [28]. Our study is in agreement with these studies and indicates ex posure levels of R. microsporus and R variotii spores that may cause development of antibodies.…”

“…The antigens can be found in the work ing environments of these patients, such as farms [1,2] and sawmills [3], and working environments with contami nated humidifiers [4,5]. Exposure may also occur in lei sure time due to activities such as pigeon breeding [6,7].…”

Exposure and acute exposure-effects before and after modification of a contaminated humidification system in a synthetic-fibre plant

“…As far as we know, there are only few studies with this type of follow-up data [8,11,12,26,29]. In previous papers [18,28] we showed data of exposure-eects such as lung function (changes), sensitisation parameters (skin tests, serology) and changes in white blood cell counts, of exposed workers in plants with contaminated humidi®cation systems, before remedial actions took place.…”

Follow-up study of workers in a nylon carpet yarn plant after remedial actions taken against a contaminated humidification system

“…As far as we know, there are only few studies which present follow-up data about exposure eects after modi®cation of a contaminated humidi®cation system [6,8,9,18,26]. In a previous paper we showed data of exposure eects (lung function, sensitisation parameters such as skin tests and serology) before remedial actions took place [22].…”