Pneumoproteins in sewage workers exposed to sewage dust

Abstract

PurposeThe association between exposure to bacteria and endotoxins in sewage dust and the serum concentrations of pneumoproteins in sewage treatment plant workers were studied.MethodsForty-four workers from eight sewage treatment plants and 38 reference workers participated in the study. Microbial aerosol was collected by personal inhalable samplers. The concentrations of bacteria and endotoxins were determined by fluorescence microscopy and the Limulus assay, respectively. Pneumoproteins (Clara cell protein: CC16, and Surfactant proteins A and D: SP-A, SP-D) were determined by ELISA in blood samples collected post-shift.ResultsThe exposure to dust ranged from 0.02 to 9.3 (geometric mean (GM) 0.3 mg/m3, of bacteria from 0.3 to 4,900 × 103 (GM 27 × 103) cells/m3 and endotoxins from 1 to 3,160 (GM 28) EU/m3. The exposed workers had lower CC16 [arithmetic mean (AM) 4.9 ng/ml] compared to the referents (AM 6.4 ng/ml, p < 0.01). No significant difference was observed for SP-D and SP-A. Exposure to bacteria was positively associated with CC16 (p < 0.05) and SP-D (p < 0.05), adjusting for possible confounders.ConclusionsThis study showed that exposed workers had lower serum concentration of CC16 as compared to the referents, which may reflect a long-term effect on secretion of these pneumoproteins. The positive association between exposure to bacteria and the serum concentrations of CC16 and SP-D may be explained by a transient increased permeability of the lung–blood barrier.

Airway inflammation among compost workers exposed to actinomycetes spores

“…The serum samples were then frozen in NUNC ® cryotubes at -25 o C within 2 hours, and kept frozen until analysis. Concentrations of the CC16, SP-A and SP-D were determined at the Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, University of Gothenburg, and analyzed as described previously [9].…”

“…An investigation was therefore conducted of exposure and health effects among workers in the Norwegian compost industry, including a more comprehensive exposure assessment with the focus on acute exposure-response associations. Also included were objective measures of pneumoproteins in serum as markers of lower airway injury, because in a previous study by the authors serum CC16 and SP-A was found to be associated with exposure to dry sewage dust [9]. Furthermore, the presented study included recording of symptoms, measurements of lung function and nasal dimensions, as well as measurements of personal exposure to inhalable dust, bacteria, fungal and actinomycetes spores and endotoxins.…”

Biomarkers for Lung Epithelium Injury in Occupational Hexavalent Chromium-Exposed Workers

“…18,19 Some research has also proven that short-term exposure to gases, fire smoke, and particulate pollution can also cause loss of Club cells or increase the permeability of epithelial cells. [20][21][22] So the objective of this study was to evaluate whether CC16 and SP-D can be used as biomarkers to detect lung airway damage and investigate their relationships with inflammatory cytokines among occupational chromium-exposed workers.…”

Characteristics of Lung Injury in Rats after Inhalation of Ultradisperse Bacterial LPS in Lipophilic and Hydrophilic Phases

“…Inhalatory intake of bacterial products including LPS is the trigger for the development of lung disease at the workers of greenhouse farms, slaughterhouses, hay harvesters and in a number of similar work situations as well as the use of air conditioners with non-sterile pneumatic circuits [10,11]. Specifi city of toxic lung injury is due to the intense transit of air and blood and abundant cells secreting biologically active substances in response to exposure to toxins [2,8].…”