Study of immunological reactions among workers in flour milling industry

ABSTRACT

This study was carried out among workers of Nasr Grain Milling Factory in El-Sharkia Governorate. It was intended to investigate the immunological reactions due to exposure to grain and flour dust. Skin test [using an antigen of grain flour and bran dust], total and specific IGE [commercial Ag specific to flour dust] were carried out. It was proved that subjects of the exposed group had a statistically significant higher positive skin test and total IGE than their matched controls. The duration of exposure proved to have an impact on the development of positive skin test and specific IGE. Skin test showed high sensitivity as a screening test that makes it applicable in the pre-employement medical examination to exclude subjects prone to allergy. Also, it could be used in the periodic medical examination for early detection of susceptible individuals in the pre-manifest stage