Bacterial endotoxin isolated from a water spray air humidification system as a putative agent of occupation-related lung disease.

Outbreaks of hypersensitivity pneumonitis or humidifier fever were attributed to the inhalation of organic material aerosolized by a chilled-water spray humidification system. The purpose of this study was to isolate and characterize the serologically detectable antigen(s) present in extracts obtained from the humidification system. By using bicarbonate or phenol-water extractions or both, the antigen was isolated and characterized, using colorimetry, gas-liquid chromatography, reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography, and X-ray fluorescence. Carbohydrates, hexosamines, phosphorus, and even-numbered saturated and unsaturated fatty acids were constituents of the serologically detectable antigen. When tested in in vivo and in vitro assays, the antigen had demonstrable endotoxin activity. All subjects with biopsy-proven lung disease and a majority of subjects suspected of having lung disease had antibodies directed toward the purified endotoxin. The data strongly suggest that an aerosolized bacterial endotoxin is a putative agent inducing lung disease.

A Cytophaga species endotoxin as a putative agent of occupation-related lung disease.

A previous study suggested that a biologically active bacterial endotoxin was a putative agent of lung disease in a textile-producing facility. The endotoxin was isolated from the biomass growing in a chilled-water spray air humidification system. The bacterial flora of the air humidification system were isolated and taxonomically identified to the genus level. By using indirect immunofluorescence assays, a serologically reactive Cytophaga species was identified. A serologically reactive, biologically active (Limulus assay) endotoxin was purified from phenol extracts of the Cytophaga species. The endotoxin contained sugars, hexosamines, and lipids identical to those found in the humidifier biomass endotoxin. All subjects with biopsy-proven and suspected lung disease had antibodies directed toward the purified Cytophaga endotoxin. The data suggest that the Cytophaga endotoxin is the putative agent of lung disease in the textile facility.

Measurement of IgG antibody and airborne antigen to control an industrial outbreak of hypersensitivity pneumonitis.

An outbreak of hypersensitivity pneumonitis in a textile plant was attributed on epidemiological grounds to a chilled water air-conditioning system where a slime was growing in the chilled water sump and on demister vanes. All of the patients and about 80% of their asymptomatic co-workers had strongly positive precipitin tests to extracts of the slime. An adaptation of a radioiodinated staphylococcal protein A solid-phase radioimmunoassay was applied to monitor antigen and specific antibody. To control the outbreak, a variety of cleaning and water treatment measures were taken between 1977 and 1979 to reduce the amount of antigen in the water and in the air. The amount of slime in the water was greatly reduced though the antigen content per gram of slime did not change. Airborne antigen in the affected work areas decreased progressively.