title: Specific IgG to Thermoactynomices vulgaris, Micropolyspora faeni and Aspergillus fumigatus in building workers exposed to esparto grass (plasterers) and in patients with esparto-induced hypersensitivity pneumonitis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Esparto is one the most frequent causes of hypersensitivity pneumonitis in Spain.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  Determination of risk factors in the working environment that could explain the sensitisation process, and assessment of the differences in specific IgG levels to Aspergillus fumigatus, Saccharopolyspora rectivirgula and Thermoactynomices vulgaris in patients with hypersensitivity pneumonitis induced by esparto, exposed healthy plasterers and control population.
  
  
  METHODS
  Determination of precipitins and specific IgG to Aspergillusfumigatus, Saccharopolyspora rectivirgula and Thermoactynomices vulgaris in the three previously mentioned groups. Questionnaire on possible risk occupational and extra-occupational factors.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Both healthy and exposed plasterers have higher levels of specific IgG to Aspergillus fumigatus, Saccharopolyspora rectivirgula and Thermoactynomices vulgaris than the healthy controls. The patients had higher levels of IgG than exposed healthy plasterers only to Thermoactynomices vulgaris. Precipitins were detected in only two patients. There were no occupational factors influencing on the sensitisation process.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Specific IgG is an occupational exposure marker among plasterers, but it has not been possible to establish a cut off point that differentiates exposed subjects from affected ones. This determination has a greater sensitivity than precipitins. We did not identify occupational or extra-occupational risk factors that facilitate the sensitisation process.
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Alergia, Hospital de Basurto, Bilbao, Basque Country, Spain. pgamboa@hbas.osakidetza.net
authors.forename: P M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Gamboa
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Urbaneja
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Olaizola
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Boyra
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: González
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Antépara
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Urrutia
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Jáuregui
authors.forename: M L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Sanz
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000485:Allergens; D000542:Alveolitis, Extrinsic Allergic / Q000276:immunology*; D001232:Aspergillus fumigatus / Q000276:immunology*; D003252:Construction Materials / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004391:Dust; D006801:Humans; D007114:Immunization; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008848:Micromonosporaceae / Q000276:immunology*; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000276:immunology*; D006109:Poaceae / Q000276:immunology*; D011234:Precipitins / Q000097:blood; D012307:Risk Factors
chemical_list: D000485:Allergens; D004391:Dust; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D011234:Precipitins