title: Antibodies to collagen IV in the serum of workers exposed to hydrocarbons and volatile organic chemicals.
abstract: Significant numbers of workers (14%) chronically exposed to volatile organic chemicals commonly found in spray paints had elevated levels of uncharacterized antibodies to collagen IV, a basement membrane protein. No increased frequency of subjects with positive results for anti-glomerular basement membrane antibodies (anti-GBM) was found in this group. These anti-GBM antibodies are directed against a specific epitope on the non-collagenous domain (NC1) of the α3 chain of collagen IV. Anti-GBM antibodies are diagnostic for Goodpasture's syndrome that has been reported to occur following acute inhalation of volatile substances. In another group of workers, exposed both dermally and by inhalation to petroleum-based oil mists, 5% had positive results for antiGBM antibodies. We conclude that the measurement of general, uncharacterized antibodies to collagen IV may be a useful indicator of basement membrane damage in workers occupationally exposed to volatile organic chemicals.
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Stevenson
authors.forename: H J
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Mason
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Pai
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Yaqoob
authors.forename: G M
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Bell