[Occupational lung diseases in Swiss cotton industry]

Classical byssinosis is hardly ever observed in Switzerland. The clinical picture of the other diseases of the lung occurring in the cotton industry is heterogeneous. In the present study the pathogenesis is considered allergic in the majority of the cases. Five typical, extensively investigated cases are presented. In provocation tests immediate asthmatic reactions were induced in the three patients who had positive immediate wheal-and-flare response to skin tests with an extract of cotton industry dust. Skin tests to common inhalants were negative. In addition, one patient showing a higher titer of precipitating antibodies against the cotton dust extract developed a 'dual' asthmatic reaction, with recurrent airway obstruction 6-7 h later, which was only partly reversible by beta 2-stimulation.