ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Inhalation exposure to fine and ultrafine particles (UFPs) has been associated with respiratory diseases. However, little is known on the quality, threshold levels and concentration of these particles causing adverse health effects. METHODS: The impact of occupational exposure to submicrometer and UFPs was assessed in 30 healthy police shooting instructors by clinical investigation, self-assessment questionnaire, sputum and spirometry and compared to a control group. General laboratory chemistry parameters, circulating cytokines (interleukin [IL]-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-8, interferon-gamma [IFN-γ]), and granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) in serum were measured. UFP exposure was recorded by Scanning Mobility Particle Sizer. RESULTS: Concentrations of submicrometer sized airborne particles (< 700 nm) measured between 3.34 × 105/cm3 and 7.58 × 105/cm3 at shooting sites, with highest concentrations found in the UFP range (< 100 nm). The size of the monodispersed particles ranged from 54.74 ± 16.25 nm to 98.19 ± 22.83 nm. Short term exposure (4 h) to high levels of UFPs caused an increase of IFN-γ in exposed subjects (p = 0.022). 24 h after exposure a significant decrease of IgG, albumin fibrinogen and factor VII was found. Neither directly after 4 h of high levels UFPs exposure nor 24 h after exposure subjective complaints or objective measurements indicating adverse respiratory effects in exposed subjects were found. CONCLUSIONS: No consistent indications for adverse respiratory or inflammatory effects directly following exposure and 24 h after exposure to high levels of UFPs in our study group were detected. However we showed the assessment of short-term exposure effects at a genuine occupational setting, which might is relevant when a risk assessment of high level occupational exposures to UFPs is considered.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris) represents an important source of weed pollen allergens. The objectives of the present study were (i) to analyze the IgE binding profiles in a group of mugwort-allergic patients, (ii) to identify individual marker allergens crucial for the diagnosis of mugwort allergy and (iii) to identify potential crossreactive allergens present in ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia) pollen extract. METHODS: Sera from 100 pediatric mugwort-allergic patients were analyzed for their IgE binding pattern to natural mugwort and ragweed pollen proteins, purified natural and recombinant Art v 1, recombinant Art v 4 and recombinant Amb a 1 using immunoblots and ELISA. RESULTS: 91% of the patients' sera tested displayed IgE binding to one or more mugwort pollen allergens in ELISA and 88% were positive in immunoblot. Purified natural Art v 1 was recognized by 79%, the recombinant protein by 39% of the patients tested and purified recombinant Art v 4 by 34% of the patients' sera. 67% of the sera displayed crossreactive IgE to one or more ragweed pollen allergens. Recombinant Amb a 1 was noted in only 14% of the mugwort-allergic sera. CONCLUSIONS: Allergen-specific in vitro diagnosis was performed in 100 pediatric mugwort-allergic serum samples. Using two allergens (Art v 1 and Art v 4), 91% of the patients could be identified as mugwort pollen-sensitized patients by IgE in vitro tests. Crossreactivity to ragweed pollen allergens was demonstrated by in vitro experiments, suggesting a new important and potent allergen source expanding across Europe.
