Chlamydophila psittaci seropositivity and serum levels of soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 in farmers.
Chlamydophila infection is known as an occupational hazard to veterinarians, farmers, poultry workers. Serum levels of the soluble Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 (sIC AM-1), is associated with C. seropositivity. Since no data about IC AM-1 levels and C. psittaci infection are known, the aim of this work was to assess if chronic persistent C. psittaci infection constantly stimulates the expression of sIC AM-1, independent of the characteristic symptoms of ornithosis. C. psittaci seropositivity and serum concentrations of sIC AM-1 were investigated in 30 farmers and 20 age-matched healthy public employees as controls. Increased serum sIC AM-1 levels were found in the group of farmers exposed to infectious risk compared to controls, and the serum concentrations of sIC AM-1 was significantly correlated with a high IgG titre against C. psittaci. It is therefore possible to suggest a sIC AM-1 measurement for use as a tool to verify the development of C. psittaci chronic infection in an occupational setting.
Fenga
Concettina
C
Dipartimento di Medicina Sociale del Territorio, Sezione di Medicina del Lavoro, Policlinico Universitario, Via Consolare Valeria - Gazzi, Messina, Italy. cfenga@unime.it
Cacciola
Anna
A
Rapisarda
Venerando
V
Spatari
Giovanna
G
Calimeri
Sebastiano
S
Minciullo
Paola Lucia
PL
Di Pasquale
Giuseppe
G
Gangemi
Sebastiano
S
D000328:Adult; D000382:Agricultural Workers' Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology*; D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial / Q000097:blood*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002691:Chlamydophila psittaci / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007070:Immunoglobulin A / Q000097:blood; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000097:blood; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000097:blood; D018799:Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D009956:Psittacosis / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012307:Risk Factors; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies
D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial; D007070:Immunoglobulin A; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D007075:Immunoglobulin M; D018799:Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1