Induced sputum evaluation in restorers and conservators of cultural heritage.
The objective of this study was to examine induced sputum (IS) cells profile from restorers/conservators of cultural heritage (restorers) with no lower airway symptoms and normal ventilatory lung function. The study involved 22 restorers and 48 control workers. Medical interview, physical examination, spirometry, skin prick testing to inhalatory allergens, and IS collection were performed. Compared with control workers, restorers demonstrated higher percentage of neutrophils (34% vs 15.5%; p = .004). This pattern was found only in male workers. They had almost 9 times greater chance to have increased proportion of sputum neutrophils than male controls (odds ratio [OR] 8.98, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.98-40.7). The mobilization of eosinophils or macrophages into the airways was not established regardless of workers sex. Additional gender difference in sputum cells distribution was found for occupationally unexposed subjects, with higher proportion of sputum neutrophils in women.
Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Zagreb, Croatia.
Božica
B
Kanceljak-Macan
Ivančica
I
Trošić
Veda Marija
VM
Varnai
Ivan
I
Pavičić
Jelena
J
Macan
D000328:Adult; D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000276:immunology; D000485:Allergens / Q000276:immunology; D001154:Art; D001772:Blood Cell Count; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003469:Culture; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008487:Medical History Taking; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D009504:Neutrophils / Q000378:metabolism*; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012737:Sex Factors; D012882:Skin Tests; D013147:Spirometry; D013183:Sputum / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology*
D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational; D000485:Allergens