Occupational dermatoses caused by contact with metalworking fluids in the region of central slovakia from 2000 to 2012.

Metalworking fluids (MWFs) are a common cause of allergic and irritant contact dermatitis. MWFs being currently used are mostly water based, containing biocides, emulsifiers, and other additives. We performed a retrospective analysis of the etiology of the occupational dermatoses caused by metalworking fluids in three regions of Central Slovakia (population of approximately 2 million) between 2000 and 2012. The primary aim was the analysis of metalworking fluid-induced dermatoses, which involved determining the particular disease type (allergic or irritant), its regional distribution, and the specific chemical causing the disease. The secondary aim of the study was to assess the level of knowledge and competence among dermatologists in performing patch testing for allergens contained in metalworking fluids using a study-specific questionnaire. Of the total number of 422 dermatoses during the analyzed period, 64 (41 in men and 23 in women) were caused by metalworking fluids. The implicated fluids were all aqueous, synthetic MWFs. 39 patients developed an allergic and 25 an irritant-induced contact dermatitis. 51 patients were tested using a special Trolab® metalworking battery (Almirall Hermal GmbH, Reinbek, Germany). The test identified a positive reaction to one of the following chemicals: methylchoroisothiazolinone/methylisothiazolinone (MCI/MI), formaldehyde, 1,2-benzisothiazoline-3-one, abietic acid, chloroxylenol, triclosan, amerchol L101, dichlorophene, propylenglycol, metylene (bis-methyl oxazolidine), monoethanolamine, and diethanolamine. The questionnaire showed that a large majority of Slovak dermatologists have no experiences with testing of MWFs. Metalworking fluids were found to be the most frequent cause of occupational contact dermatitis. They also are the second largest group of all occupational dermotoses. Their incidence corresponded with the presence of machine industry in the region. Several unresolved problems include detection of specific allergens and standardization of patch test performance among individual dermatologists. Low levels of experience in testing of MWFs revealed need to educate both dermatologists and residents.

Occupational rhinitis in the Slovak Republic--a long-term retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: Allergic and non-allergic rhinitis ranks among the common occupational health problems. However, data on the incidence of occupational rhinitis are lacking, since comprehensive studies are rare. METHODS: The study includes a group of patients in the Slovak Republic who were reported as having occupational rhinitis in the years 1990-2011. The following parameters were tracked in the investigated sample: age, gender, number of cases by individual years, occupations, causative factors and the length of exposure to the given agent. Possible progression of rhinitis to bronchial asthma was evaluated as well. The diagnostic algorithm was also analysed retrospectively, which included skin tests, the examination of specific IgE antibodies and nasal provocation tests. RESULTS: A total of 70 cases of occupational rhinitis were reported. The disease most often occurred in food industry workers (50% of cases). The most common aetiological factor was flour. Among other relatively common allergens were synthetic textile, wool, cotton and different types of moulds. Significant agents were also different chemical factors causing allergic and irritant rhinitis. The average length of exposure was 14.8 years. Exposure was shorter in men than in women (11 years vs. 16 years) (p = 0.04). Bronchial asthma as a comorbidity was diagnosed in 13 patients (19.7%). The critical diagnostic method on the basis of which the causal association between rhinitis and work environments was confirmed in 59% of cases was skin test; confirmation of the occupational cause using nasal provocation test was less frequent (18%). CONCLUSION: Food industry, textile industry and agriculture were the most risky occupational environments. Workers in these sectors require preventive intervention. In case of showing rhinitis symptoms it is necessary to confirm the occupational aetiology of the disease by the objective diagnostic methods. Since occupational rhinitis mostly precedes the occupational asthma, the elimination from the workplace is necessary.

Chromosomal aberrations in tire plant workers and interaction with polymorphisms of biotransformation and DNA repair genes.

We evaluated chromosomal aberrations in lymphocytes of 177 workers exposed to xenobiotics in a tire plant and in 172 controls, in relation to their genetic background. Nine polymorphisms in genes encoding biotransformation enzymes and nine polymorphisms in genes involved in main DNA repair pathways were investigated for possible modulation of chromosomal damage. Chromosomal aberration frequencies were the highest among exposed smokers and the lowest in non-smoking unexposed individuals (2.5+/-1.8% vs. 1.7+/-1.2%, respectively). The differences between groups (ANOVA) were borderline significant (F=2.6, P=0.055). Chromosomal aberrations were higher in subjects with GSTT1-null (2.4+/-1.7%) than in those with GSTT1-plus genotype (1.8+/-1.4%; F=7.2, P=0.008). Considering individual groups, this association was significant in smoking exposed workers (F=4.4, P=0.040). Individuals with low activity EPHX1 genotype exhibited significantly higher chromosomal aberrations (2.3+/-1.6%) in comparison with those bearing medium (1.7+/-1.2%) and high activity genotype (1.5+/-1.2%; F=4.7, P=0.010). Both chromatid- and chromosome-type aberration frequencies were mainly affected by exposure and smoking status. Binary logistic regression analysis revealed that frequencies of chromatid-type aberrations were modulated by NBS1 Glu185Gln (OR 4.26, 95%CI 1.38-13.14, P=0.012), and to a moderate extent, by XPD Lys751Gln (OR 0.16, 95%CI 0.02-1.25, P=0.081) polymorphisms. Chromosome-type aberrations were lowest in individuals bearing the EPHX1 genotype conferring the high activity (OR 0.38, 95%CI 0.15-0.98, P=0.045). Present results show that exposed individuals in the tire production, who smoke, exhibit higher chromosomal aberrations frequencies, and the extent of chromosomal damage may additionally be modified by relevant polymorphisms.

Chromosomal damage and polymorphisms of DNA repair genes XRCC1 and XRCC3 in workers exposed to cytostatics.

OBJECTIVES: Medical workers in oncological units have chronically been exposed to low doses of cytostatics (C) with potential consequences on DNA and chromosomal integrity. Our study addresses relationships between chromosomal aberrations (CAs), chromosome (CSA), and chromatid (CTA) types and polymorphisms in DNA repair genes XRCC1 and XRCC3. METHODS: The study was conducted on 72 exposed individuals from hospitals in Martin (HMT; 28 individuals), Ruzomberok (HRK; 31 medical workers) and in Trstená (HTS; 13 individuals), and on 34 unexposed individuals. Conventional cytogenetic analysis was employed for the detection of CAs. XRCC1 and XRCC3 polymorphisms were assayed for by Taqman SNP genotyping assays ("Assay-by-Demand") using Real-Time allelic discrimination on AB 7 500 equipment (all from Applied Biosystems, Foster City, USA). RESULTS: Higher frequencies of CAs were detected in exposed individuals than in controls (1.78% versus 1.32%, respectively). The frequency of aberrant cells (Ab.c.) was highest among workers from HRK (1.97%), followed by those from HMT and HTS (1.54% and 1.85 %, respectively). In the exposed group a moderately higher frequency of CTA (0.93%) in comparison with CSA (0.85%) was detected. Higher CAs were detected in individuals with homozygous variant polymorphism in XRCC1 exon 10 gene than in those with wild-type genotype (1.87% versus 1.60%). Variant T allele in XRCC3 exon 7 was also associated with higher CAs (1.71% and 1.74%) as compared to the wild-type C allele (1.45%). CONCLUSIONS: The detection of individuals with increased susceptibility to genotoxic agents enables to take preventive measures during the working process.