Immunologic response of unvaccinated workers exposed to anthrax, Belgium.
To determine immunologic reactivity to Bacillus anthrax antigens, we conducted serologic testing of workers in a factory that performed scouring of wool and goat hair. Of 66 workers, approximately 10% had circulating antibodies or T lymphocytes that reacted with anthrax protective antigen. Individual immunity varied from undetectable to high.
Wattiau
Pierre
P
Veterinary and Agro-chemical Research Centre, Department of Bacterial Diseases, Brussels, Belgium. pierre.wattiau@var.fgov.be
Govaerts
Marc
M
Frangoulidis
Dimitrios
D
Fretin
David
D
Kissling
Esther
E
Van Hessche
Mieke
M
China
Bernard
B
Poncin
Martine
M
Pirenne
Yvo
Y
Hanquet
Germaine
G
D000881:Anthrax / Q000276:immunology*; D022122:Anthrax Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial / Q000097:blood; D001408:Bacillus anthracis / Q000276:immunology; D001530:Belgium; D015153:Blotting, Western; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D006801:Humans; D019570:Inhalation Exposure; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology
D022122:Anthrax Vaccines; D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial