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Published on: August 2, 2024
Airway inflammation in paper mill workers
Liv I B Sikkeland1, Terje Haug, Astrid M Stangeland
1Department of Respiratory Medicine, Faculty Division Rikshospitalet, University of Oslo, Norway. liv.sikkeland@rikshospitalet.no
Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine
|November 15, 2007
Summary
Paper mill workers exposed to microorganisms (MOs) show subclinical airway inflammation. This study detected higher neutrophils and pro-inflammatory cytokines in sputum of workers with high MO exposure.
Area of Science:
- Occupational Health
- Environmental Medicine
- Pulmonary Medicine
Background:
- Paper mill workers face exposure to airborne culturable microorganisms (MOs).
- Previous research has not fully elucidated the subclinical inflammatory effects of MO exposure in asymptomatic workers.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the presence of subclinical airway inflammation in paper mill workers exposed to varying levels of MOs.
- To compare inflammatory markers in the sputum of workers with high MO exposure (HMOE) versus low MO exposure (LMOE) and non-exposed (NE) individuals.
Main Methods:
- Differential cell counts of induced sputum were performed.
- Gene expression of isolated sputum macrophages was analyzed for pro-inflammatory cytokines.
- Matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) activity in sputum was measured.
Main Results:
- Workers with high MO exposure (HMOE) exhibited a significantly higher percentage of neutrophils in sputum compared to LMOE and NE groups.
- Increased gene expression of interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, and macrophage inflammatory protein-1beta was observed in airway macrophages from HMOE workers.
- Elevated total matrix metalloprotease-9 activity was detected in the sputum of the HMOE group.
Conclusions:
- Paper industry workers exposed to microorganisms develop subclinical airway inflammation.
- Neutrophil counts, pro-inflammatory cytokine expression, and MMP-9 activity serve as indicators of this inflammation.
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