[Immunologic reactions, respiratory symptoms and ventilatory capacity in jute and sisal textile workers]

Allergic reactions in relation to respiratory symptoms and ventilatory capacity were studied in 41 textile workers employed in the processing of jute and sisal. Only 5.0% of the jute workers and 9.5% of the sisal workers demonstrated positive skin reactions to jute or sisal allergens. Increased IgE was found in 9.8% of the textile workers. Among 35 control workers 11.4% reacted with a positive skin reaction to the jute or sisal allergen and 2.9% had increased IgE. Chronic respiratory symptoms as well as changes in ventilatory capacity were found in textile workers with positive and negative skin tests. Our data suggest that immunological reactions are not likely to be responsible for the development of respiratory impairment in textile workers exposed to jute and sisal dust.