Institute for Work and Health, University of Lausanne, CH-1011 Lausanne, Switzerland.
Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, EBPI, University of Zurich and University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
Ann Work Expo Health. 2017 Aug 1;61(7):822-835. doi: 10.1093/annweh/wxx048.
In laboratory animal work, allergens are classically considered to play a prominent role in generation of respiratory and skin symptoms. However, recent development may have changed working conditions and require an updating of preventive measures.
In workers exposed to a range of animals besides laboratory mice and rats the relative role of endotoxin, irritants, and allergens in symptom generation was assessed for updating preventative measures and health surveillance.
Eligible workers were recruited from university units in which exposure to rats and/or mice, occurrence of respiratory and/or skin symptoms, and/or a history of animal bites had been reported. Exposure to endotoxin and rat and mouse allergen was assessed (71 half-day personal samples). 'Symptomatic' was defined by work-related ocular, nasal, respiratory, or skin symptoms. A concentration of specific IgE against rat or mouse (e87 and e88) ≥0.35 kU/l defined sensitization. Sensitivity analyses examined the effect of alternative exposure indicators and definitions of 'sensitized' and 'symptomatic'.
From 302 eligible workers, 177 participated. There were 121 and 41 workers in the asymptomatic and non-sensitized and symptomatic but non-sensitized group, respectively. Eight subjects were symptomatic and sensitized. Six sensitized subjects were asymptomatic. One participant could not be assigned to a subgroup. Airborne endotoxin and allergen concentrations were mostly below 20 EU m-3 or the detection limit, respectively. Clinical history showed that irritants and sensitizers other than mouse/rat allergen or endotoxin were a major cause of symptoms. Results were sensitive to the selected exposure indicator and the definition of 'symptomatic'.
Health surveillance programs need to be adapted to include a larger range of allergens and pay more attention to irritants.
在实验动物工作中，过敏原被认为在引发呼吸道和皮肤症状方面起着重要作用。然而，最近的发展可能改变了工作条件，需要更新预防措施。
在接触除实验鼠和大鼠以外的多种动物的工人中，评估内毒素、刺激物和过敏原在症状产生中的相对作用，以更新预防措施和健康监测。
从报告接触大鼠和/或小鼠、出现呼吸道和/或皮肤症状以及/或动物咬伤史的大学单位中招募符合条件的工人。评估了内毒素和大鼠和小鼠过敏原的暴露情况（71 个半日内个人样本）。“有症状”定义为与工作相关的眼部、鼻部、呼吸道或皮肤症状。针对大鼠或小鼠的特异性 IgE（e87 和 e88）浓度≥0.35 kU/l 定义为致敏。敏感性分析检查了替代暴露指标以及“致敏”和“有症状”的定义的影响。
从 302 名符合条件的工人中，有 177 人参加。无症状且非致敏组和非症状但非致敏组分别有 121 人和 41 人。有 8 名工人有症状且致敏。有 6 名致敏工人无症状。有 1 名参与者无法归入亚组。空气中的内毒素和过敏原浓度大多低于 20 EU m-3 或检测限。临床病史显示，除了小鼠/大鼠过敏原或内毒素以外的刺激物和致敏原是症状的主要原因。结果对所选暴露指标和“有症状”的定义敏感。
健康监测计划需要适应，纳入更广泛的过敏原，并更加关注刺激物。
