[Study on occupational respiratory diseases in fur-processing workers].
OBJECTIVE
To study the respiratory system injury in fur processing environment.


METHODS
Environmental fungal survey was conducted in the fur processing procedures. Investigation of respiratory symptoms and chest X-ray examination were also carried out in 138 fur processing workers and 40 control workers. At the same time, the serum antibodies to fungi were analyzed by ELISA.


RESULTS
Fungal number(629-3,681 cfu/m3) in fur processing procedures was much higher than those in the control environment. Cladosporium and Alternaria were the leading strains of fungi in fur processing procedures. The rates of respiratory symptoms(cough, sputum, chest tightness, dyspnea, and fever) in fur processing workers were higher than those in the control workers. The rates of the symptoms in female workers were 37.9%, 28.4%, 10.5%, 22.1%, 4.2%, respectively. Abnormalities of chest X ray were found in 7 workers. The serum antibodies to Cladosporium and Alternaria(A450 nm 0.631, 0.724, respectively) in fur workers were significantly higher than those in the control workers(P < 0.05). The positive rates of the antibodies to Cladosporium and Alternaria(44.2%, 42.8%) were significantly higher than those in the control workers(P < 0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
Cladosporium and Alternaria may be the pathogens of occupational respiratory diseases in fur processing workers.
Chen
Jie
J
School of Public Health, China Medical University, Shenyang 110001, China.
Liu
Zhenlin
Z
Liu
Huijuan
H
Shi
Changying
C
Gong
Huizhi
H
Yang
Sufen
S
Qiu
Liyan
L
D000528:Alternaria / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D000908:Antibodies, Fungal / Q000097:blood; D002963:Cladosporium / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D004783:Environmental Microbiology; D005260:Female; D006197:Hair; D006801:Humans; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D013902:Radiography, Thoracic; D012140:Respiratory Tract Diseases / Q000209:etiology*
D000908:Antibodies, Fungal