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Fungal spores as such do not cause nasal inflammation in mold exposure
Marjut Roponen1, M Seuri, A Nevalainen
1Laboratory of Toxicology, National Public Health Institute, PO Box 95, FIN-70701 Kuopio, Finland. Marjut.Roponen@ktl.fi
Abstract:
The increased frequency of respiratory symptoms and diseases among sawmill workers has been linked to occupational exposure to airborne contaminants, especially to different fungi. Similar adverse health effects, together with elevated levels of inflammatory mediators in the nasal lavage (NAL) fluid, have been detected in people working in mold-damaged buildings. However, the indoor fungal spore concentrations in moldy houses are much lower than those in sawmills. To study the effect of fungal spores as such on the inflammatory markers in the NAL fluid, we conducted a similar study in sawmill workers who had an intense exposure to fungal spores. NAL was performed in 11 sawmill workers both during high occupational microbial exposure and during their vacation. Concentrations of nitric oxide (NO), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFalpha), interleukin (IL)-4, IL-5, and IL-6 in NAL fluid were analyzed, and occupational exposure to inhalable dust, fungal spores, endotoxins and terpenes was confirmed by personal monitoring during the day of sampling. In addition, health data were collected with a questionnaire. Personal exposures to fungal spores varied from 2 x 10(5) spores/m(3) to 1.5 x 10(6) spores/m(3) (mean 7 x 10(5) spores/m(3)). Concentrations of inhalable dust, endotoxins, and terpenes were relatively low. There were no differences between work and vacation in the concentrations of NO and proinflammatory cytokines in NAL fluid or in the reporting of symptoms, and the levels were lower than in workers at a moldy school building. However, the concentration of TNFalpha in the NAL fluid was positively correlated with the concentration of terpenes in the working environment (r =.768; p =.006). These results show that microbial exposure as such does not invariably result in inflammatory changes detectable with the NAL method. We suggest that the type of microbial flora or microbial products in the occupational environment determines the proinflammatory potency of microbial exposure.
Insights
Sawmill workers
Area of Science:
- Occupational health and environmental microbiology.
Background:
- Occupational exposure to airborne contaminants, particularly fungi, is linked to respiratory issues in sawmill workers.
- Similar health effects and elevated inflammatory mediators are observed in individuals exposed to mold-damaged buildings, despite lower fungal spore concentrations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the direct impact of intense fungal spore exposure on inflammatory markers in nasal lavage (NAL) fluid of sawmill workers.
- To compare inflammatory responses and symptoms during high exposure periods versus vacation.
Main Methods:
- Nasal lavage (NAL) was performed on 11 sawmill workers during high exposure and vacation.
- Analysis of nitric oxide (NO) and cytokines (TNFalpha, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6) in NAL fluid.
- Personal monitoring for inhalable dust, fungal spores, endotoxins, and terpenes; health data collected via questionnaire.
Main Results:
- No significant differences in NO, cytokine levels, or reported symptoms between work and vacation periods.
- NAL fluid inflammatory marker levels were lower than those reported for workers in moldy buildings.
- Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFalpha) concentration in NAL fluid showed a positive correlation with airborne terpene levels (r =.768; p =.006).
Conclusions:
- Microbial exposure alone does not consistently induce detectable inflammatory changes via NAL analysis.
- The specific composition of microbial flora and their products in the occupational environment likely dictates the proinflammatory potential of exposure.