Value of antibody level in diagnosing anhydride-induced immunologic respiratory disease.
The objective of this study was to determine whether immunologic anhydride-induced respiratory disease could be predicted on the basis of the level of specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) or immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibody. Eight-one anhydride-exposed employees in one plant were studied. Fourteen had disease and 67 did not. Immunologic studies were performed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and expressed as titers. When optimal discriminant analysis was used, IgE < 1:5 and IgG < or = 1:10 were found to be the optimal titers for separating employees with and without immunologic respiratory disease caused by anhydrides. When IgG < or = 1:10 was used, 62 of 81 workers were correctly classified; the sensitivity was 100%, the positive predictive value was 45%, the specificity was 75%, and the negative predictive value was 100%. When IgE < 1:5 was used, 73 of 81 workers were correctly classified; the sensitivity was 86%, the positive predictive value was 67%, the specificity was 91%, and the negative predictive value was 97%. In conclusion, anhydride disease status can be predicted on the basis of specific IgG or IgE antibody level.
Grammer
L C
LC
Department of Medicine, Northwestern University Medical School, Chicago, IL 60611, USA.
Shaughnessy
M A
MA
Hogan
M B
MB
Berggruen
S M
SM
Watkins
D M
DM
Yarnold
P R
PR
D000906:Antibodies / Q000032:analysis*; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D004853:Epoxy Resins / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000032:analysis; D007159:Immunologic Tests; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology; D010796:Phthalic Anhydrides / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012130:Respiratory Hypersensitivity / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
D000906:Antibodies; D004853:Epoxy Resins; D010796:Phthalic Anhydrides; C005752:araldite; D007073:Immunoglobulin E