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Study of immunological parameters in farmer's lung
Clinical Allergy
|September 1, 1983
Summary
This study found that many farmers with respiratory issues, including farmer's lung and bronchial asthma, have antibodies to moldy hay antigens. Immune complexes were also detected in these farmers, suggesting an ongoing immune response to environmental allergens.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Occupational Medicine
- Immunology
Background:
- Farmer's lung is a hypersensitivity pneumonitis caused by inhaling moldy hay dust.
- Respiratory symptoms and immunological responses in farmers are not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prevalence of farmer's lung and bronchial asthma in Northern Italian farmers.
- To identify immunological markers associated with these conditions.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional study of 2932 farmers with questionnaires, spirometry, and chest X-rays.
- Intracutaneous skin tests and serological tests (double diffusion, immunoelectrophoresis) for farmer's lung antigens.
- Tests for circulating immune complexes and immediate skin-test reactions.
Main Results:
- 27.8% of chronic farmer's lung cases, 4.4% of bronchial asthma cases, and 2.3% of non-symptomatic subjects had precipitating antibodies to farmer's lung antigens, primarily Micropolyspora faeni.
- No significant differences in antibody patterns were found between chronic farmer's lung and bronchial asthma.
- Circulating immune complexes were present in 50% of chronic farmer's lung patients and 40% of bronchial asthma patients.
Conclusions:
- A significant proportion of farmers exhibit immunological responses to farmer's lung antigens, irrespective of their specific diagnosis.
- The presence of immune complexes suggests ongoing inflammation in affected farmers.
- Further research into the role of environmental allergens in farmer's respiratory health is warranted.