Health effects due to endotoxin inhalation (review)

Abstract

Endotoxins are ubiquitous in the environment and represent important components of bioaerosols. High exposure occurs in rural environment and at several workplaces (e.g. waste collecting, textile industry etc.). Adverse effects on human health induced by inhalation of endotoxin are described in several studies. Up to now the endotoxin levels are mainly measured using the Limulus amoebocyte-lysate (LAL) assay. This assay is well established, but for a suitable characterization of bioaerosols more parameters are necessary. Additional information, e.g. concerning the pyrogenic activity of organic dust samples may be delivered by whole blood assay. Whereas on the one hand protection measures at workplaces are demanded to avoid lung function impairment due to endotoxin exposure, on the other hand a protective effect of exposure to microbial agents like endotoxins with regard to allergy development has been observed. On the cellular level toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) and IL-1 receptor as well as surface molecules like CD14 have been shown to play a pivotal role in the endotoxin activation cascade. In this review we summarize the mechanism of endotoxin recognition and its manifold effects on human health.

Acute effects after occupational endotoxin exposure at a spa

“…Exposure to organic dust or endotoxin is known to cause acute effects in humans (1)(2)(3)(4). In this short report, we present two spa workers who described repeated symptoms including fever, shaking chills, palpitation, arthralgia, and diarrhea after performing seaweed massage on clients at a spa center.…”

Endotoxin Exposure Assessment in Wood-Processing Industry: Airborne Versus Settled Dust Levels

“…Released in the environment, they make an important, biologically active component of organic dust at home and work, and, if inhaled, induce dose-related infl ammatory response (2). Occupational monitoring of endotoxin is mostly based on airborne endotoxin levels (1,3), while measurement in settled dust is not as common in occupational settings, even though it is less expensive and less time consuming.…”

Biological and chemical hazards in water-mix metalworking fluids and mists

“…Some of the respiratory symptoms reported in machinists (congestion, cough, bronchitis, and fever) are consistent with the effects of specific bacterial toxins termed endotoxins (Liebers et al, 2008). Therefore, it is important to establish whether endotoxins are involved in the development of respiratory symptoms from exposure to MWF mist.…”

“…Lipid A section of the LPS is the most conserved region and for different endotoxins is the morphological determinant (Liebers et al, 2008). This hydrophobic region adopts an ordered hexagonal arrangement, resulting in a more rigid structure compared to the rest of the LPS molecule (Petsch and Anspach, 2000).…”

“…This structure can increase the stability of endotoxins to remain biologically active at the extreme temperatures and pH seen in MWF (Petsch and Anspach, 2000). It is in this aggregated state, that an endotoxin may provoke an innate immunological response (Liebers et al 2008).…”