Characterization of Endotoxin and Mouse Allergen Exposures in Mouse Facilities and Research Laboratories

Pacheco, Karin; McCammon, Charles S.; Thorne, Peter S.; O'Neill, Marsha E.; Liu, Andrew H.; Martyny, John W.; VanDyke, Michael; Newman, Lee S.; Rose, Cecile S.

doi:10.1093/annhyg/mel019

Cited by 19 publications

(15 citation statements)

References 25 publications

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“…Our and other previous studies measured much lower concentrations of endotoxin in the LA research workplace 1–3 than those reported in other animal worksites, such as poultry and hog-confinement barns. 22–24 Nonetheless, endotoxin is measurable in the LA workplace, and the modest concentrations detected might be more effective at modulating the allergic process than the extremely high concentrations measured elsewhere.…”

Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 56%

“…1 We also found that workers with the less-endotoxin-responsive TLR4 /8551 G allele spent longer hours in direct animal exposure tasks, such as experiments with LAs, in the animal facility and in their own laboratories, perhaps because they were less affected by endotoxin exposures. It remains possible that the associations seen with the TLR4 /8551 and TLR4 /8851 minor alleles are merely surrogates for another endotoxin receptor or for an exposure other than endotoxin.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 56%

“…We and others have detected moderate-to-high levels of airborne animal allergen in this workplace and more modest levels of airborne endotoxin 1,2 that might play a role in both symptoms and sensitization to laboratory animals. Evidence from this 3 and other endotoxin- and allergen-rich work environments, such as poultry farms and hog-confinement barns, shows that endotoxin exposure elicits upper and lower respiratory symptoms, such as rhinorrhea, eye and nose irritation, cough, wheeze, and chest tightness, and is associated with airflow limitation.…”

mentioning

confidence: 54%

“…Cage changing, dumping, and washing were considered tasks with high prolonged exposures to animal allergen and endotoxin based on previous studies. 1 Animal experiments on the bench in the animal facility or individual laboratories were considered tasks with moderate and intermittent exposures to animal allergen and endotoxin.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Association of Toll-like receptor 4 alleles with symptoms and sensitization to laboratory animals

Pacheco

Maier

Silveira

et al. 2008

Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology

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Background Researchers and technicians working with laboratory animals (LAs) are exposed to animal allergen and endotoxin, which can interact to potentiate or inhibit symptoms or allergic responses. We hypothesized that functional genetic variants of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), a key surface receptor for endotoxin, interface between worker and workplace and affect animal sensitization, symptoms, or both. Objective We sought to determine whether TLR4/8551 variants alter the risk for LA sensitization, symptoms, or both. Methods Three hundred thirty-five researchers, 195 of whom worked with animals, completed questions on workplace practices and symptoms and underwent skin prick tests or RASTs to common and animal allergens. Real-time PCR assessed TLR4/8551 and TLR4/8851 variants. Nominal logistic regression was used to analyze the contribution of demographic, exposure, and genetic variables to outcomes of interest. Results Twenty-one percent of workers were LA sensitized, and 29% reported 1 or more symptoms to LAs. The TLR4/8551 G variant, which is less responsive to endotoxin, was detected in 9% and in linkage disequilibrium with the TLR4/8851 T allele. The G variant significantly associated with atopy and LA sensitization. Workers with the G variant spent significantly longer hours in high endotoxin/animal allergen tasks compared with those with the AA variant, which is perhaps less affected by endotoxin exposures. In multivariate analyses the G variant and longer animal research hours increased the risk of LA sensitization. Job tasks and LA sensitization, but not TLR4 variants, were predictors of LA-induced symptoms. Conclusion Workers with TLR4 variants that reduce responsiveness to endotoxin have higher risks for LA and other allergen sensitization but spend longer hours in tasks with high endotoxin and animal allergen exposures.

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Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 56%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 56%

mentioning

confidence: 54%

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Association of Toll-like receptor 4 alleles with symptoms and sensitization to laboratory animals

Pacheco

Maier

Silveira

et al. 2008

Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology

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“…We wanted to sample in particle size ranges commonly assessed in exposure assessment studies and which may be more relevant in bronchial responses. 2,3,10,11 …”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Performance of the halogen immunoassay to assess airborne mouse allergen-containing particles in a laboratory animal facility

Rivera-Mariani

Matsui

Breysse

2012

J Expo Sci Environ Epidemiol

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Airborne mouse allergen is a risk factor for respiratory diseases. Conventional assessment techniques provide mass-based exposure estimates that may not capture completely the inhalation risk of airborne allergen particles. In contrast to mass-based estimates, the halogen immunoassay (HIA) combines immunoblotting and microscopy to directly assess allergen-containing particles. We evaluated the HIA for the assessment of airborne mouse allergen and compared the results to the enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Particulate matter (PM)10 and PM2.5 samples (30 min, 4 l/m) were collected in a mouse facility before, during, and after disturbance of soiled bedding. Concentrations of Mus m 1-positive particles (haloed particles (HPs)) and intensities of the haloes were determined with the HIA. Although HPs/m3 were positively correlated with mass concentration (statistically significant only with Mus m 1 concentration on PM10), replicates of mass concentration showed higher variability than HPs/m3. After disturbance, most of the HPs were in the PM2.5 fraction. Mean haloes intensities were similar before, during, and after disturbance. The HIA was able to measure allergen-containing particles with less variability than the ELISA, detected the shift of HPs to smaller particles after disturbance, and may suggests similar halo intensity by particles detected during and after disturbance. Our findings suggest that the HIA can be used to assess indoor concentrations of mouse allergen particles and their morphological characteristics.

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Cancer Biology Relating to Minimal Access Management

Salo

2009

Minimally Invasive Cancer Management

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Characterization of Endotoxin and Mouse Allergen Exposures in Mouse Facilities and Research Laboratories

Abstract: These findings suggest that endotoxin and mouse allergen are co-exposures during mouse handling and research, and that control of exposure peaks may be necessary to limit allergic disease in the laboratory animal workplace.

Cited by 19 publications

References 25 publications

Association of Toll-like receptor 4 alleles with symptoms and sensitization to laboratory animals

Association of Toll-like receptor 4 alleles with symptoms and sensitization to laboratory animals

Performance of the halogen immunoassay to assess airborne mouse allergen-containing particles in a laboratory animal facility

Cancer Biology Relating to Minimal Access Management

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