The Pathogenetic Role of Inhaled Microbial Material in Pulmonary Mycotoxicosis as Demonstrated in an Animal Model

Respiratory Effects of Exposure to Grain Dust

“…2 This acute respiratory response is thought to result from toxic reactions 21 triggered by endotoxins, mycotoxins, or proteinases of moldy plant materials. 43,44 ASTHMA Asthma, defined as variable airflow obstruction with symptoms of breathlessness and wheezing related to occupational exposure to grain dust, is associated with increased airways responsiveness mediated by allergic or nonallergic mechanisms. The prevalence of wheezing ranges from 5 to 42% (Table 1); in some populations it is significantly higher than in control populations and depends on smoking and occupational exposure to grain.…”

Desquamative interstitial pneumonia: an analytic review with an emphasis on aetiology

“…cultured from specimens taken from the work environment) [37]. It is reported that aflatoxins may be toxic to the lungs [36][37][38][39][40][41]; however, only one of these studies described interstitial lung disease related to aflatoxin toxicity [36][37][38][39][40][41][42]. Thus, the imputability of aflatoxin remains very uncertain.…”

Agricultural Respiratory Diseases

“…Experimental animal studies with microbialladen dusts and with endotoxin preparations have found these exposures to result in recruitment of neutrophils into airways together with hypoxemia and hypocomplementemia. [21][22][23] Cotton dust-ex posed workers have been found to have increased airway neutrophils, peripheral leukocytosis, de creased arterial oxygen pressure (PaO 2 ) and signif icant decrements in expiratory flow rates. 24 Repeted bronchoalveolar lavage in mycotoxicosis cases following exposure to moldy forage revealed a prominent and immediate neutrophil response that decreased, but persisted, for 6 weeks after expo sure.…”

“…Pulmonary function is usually normal or reveals mild restric tion; in severe cases a reduced diffusing capacity may be noted. 23 Blood gases usually show a normal PaO 2 with mild alkalosis. Precipitins to usual farm er's lung antigens are generally negative, but are relatively common among those with these expo sures, thus adding confusion to the diagnosis.…”