Endotoxin and β-(1 → 3)-glucan exposure in poultry and ruminant clinics.

BACKGROUND

Exposure to organic dust is a well-known hazard for farm animal workers leading to respiratory diseases. Organic dust exposure has not been adequately evaluated in environmental settings in relation to veterinarians.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate inhalable dust, endotoxin, and β-(1 → 3)-glucan exposure among caretakers, veterinarians, and veterinary students. Task-based determinants of exposure were studied.

METHODS

This study investigated the exposure during veterinary education in the ruminant and poultry clinics. Dust measurements were performed using the conical inhalable samplers (CIS). Endotoxin and β-(1 → 3)-glucan were determined by the kinetic limulus amebocyte lysate (LAL) assay and inhibition enzyme immunoassay (EIA), respectively. Determinants of exposure were identified by multiple linear regression analysis.

RESULTS

Personal exposure levels of dust, endotoxin, and β-(1 → 3)-glucan were higher for poultry [geometric mean (GM): dust, 1.32 mg m(-3) (below the lower limit of detection (<LOD) to 20.9); endotoxin, 1498 EU m(-3) (115-49 846); and β-(1 → 3)-glucan, 3.10 μg m(-3) (<LOD-46.1)] than for ruminant settings [GM: dust, 0.60 mg m(-3) (<LOD-20.8), endotoxin, 520 EU m(-3) (60-7492), and β-(1 → 3)-glucan, 3.39 μg m(-3) (<LOD-111)]. Dust and endotoxin levels correlated significantly when stratified by work-sites and job-titles, except for caretakers in the ruminant clinic. Modeling of task-based determinants revealed some activities to be associated with higher exposure, but tasks were dependent on the job-title.

CONCLUSION

This study showed substantial endotoxin exposure in modern animal clinics. Exposure occurred not only in animal houses, but also in practical teaching rooms. β-(1 → 3)-Glucan was substantial as well. Observed exposure levels might present an occupational respiratory health risk for veterinary populations.