title: Specific immune response to occupational antigens in asymptomatic egg processing workers.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Hen's egg proteins are known sensitizers and may cause occupational respiratory diseases in exposed workers. The study was conducted in order to ascertain the prevalence of sensitization to work-related antigens in asymptomatic egg processing factory workers.
  
  
  METHODS
  Clinical history, respiratory function, atopy and the presence of specific antibodies to environmental and occupational antigens were evaluated in 77 workers. A total of 116 unexposed and non-professionally exposed controls were also studied. The antigen concentration of the factory environment was measured.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Specific IgE and precipitin positivity to egg components was more frequently present in workers than in the two control groups. The egg white protein concentration was higher in the egg breaking area.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The avian proteins inhaled induced immune responses to occupational antigens in asymptomatic, professionally exposed subjects. Measures to decrease environmental antigen concentrations and thorough clinical monitoring of sensitized workers are advocated.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Section of Immunology, University of Verona, 37134, Italy. giovanna.zanoni@univr.it
authors.forename: Giovanna
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Zanoni
authors.forename: Silvia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Martini
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Zedde
authors.forename: Mauro
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pagani
authors.forename: Annalisa
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Guarnieri
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Tridente
authors.forename: Luciano
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Romeo
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D021181:Egg Hypersensitivity / Q000276:immunology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D004527:Egg Proteins / Q000276:immunology; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D062665:Epidemiological Monitoring; D005260:Female; D005511:Food Handling; D006801:Humans; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000097:blood; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000276:immunology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D011234:Precipitins / Q000097:blood; D012130:Respiratory Hypersensitivity / Q000276:immunology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D012307:Risk Factors
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D004527:Egg Proteins; D011234:Precipitins; D007073:Immunoglobulin E