title: Chironomid midge sensitization in sewage workers: case study.
abstract: Non-biting chironomid midges (Diptera: Chironomidae) may cause sensitization and allergic reactions in humans and have recently been identified as a potential health problem in Swedish municipal sewage treatment plants. To investigate, on a pilot scale, the allergenic potential of chironomids in sewage workers, all workers (n = 8) at a sewage treatment plant and local controls (n = 16) completed a symptom questionnaire, underwent measurement of the fraction of nitric oxide in exhaled air, spirometry, and provided serum samples for the determination of atopy status and the prevalence of specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies against Chironomus thummi (Chi t) using a commercial fluorescence enzyme immunoassay (FEIA). Three sewage workers (38%) but no controls (0%) were FEIA positive for C. thummi-specific IgE antibodies (P < 0.05). No other health-related findings were significantly different between the groups. The study suggested that occupational exposure to Chironomids may cause sensitization with circulating IgE-antibodies in sewage workers.
authors.affiliation: Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Örebro University Hospital, Örebro, Sweden. anders.selden@orebroll.se
authors.forename: A I
authors.initials: AI
authors.lastname: Seldén
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Calo
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Mölleby
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Hultgren
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000485:Allergens / Q000276:immunology*; D000818:Animals; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002683:Chironomidae / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D015200:Fluoroimmunoassay; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume; D006801:Humans; D006969:Hypersensitivity, Immediate / Q000276:immunology*; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000276:immunology*; D013147:Spirometry; D014797:Vital Capacity; D014865:Waste Disposal, Fluid
chemical_list: D000485:Allergens; D007073:Immunoglobulin E
keywords: Chironomus thummi; IgE; fluorescence enzyme immunoassay; sensitization; sewage treatment; sewage workers