Clinical and immunologic findings of methylene diphenyl diisocyanate-induced occupational asthma in a car upholstery factory.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Although methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (MDI) is widely used in many industries, there have been few immunological studies of MDI-induced occupational asthma.

OBJECTIVES:

We investigated the effects of MDI exposure on the clinical and immunologic condition of workers in a single car upholstery factory.

METHODS:

Fifty-eight MDI-exposed workers were studied. Work-related lower-respiratory symptoms (WRRS) were identified using a questionnaire. Serum-specific IgE and IgG antibodies to MDI-human serum albumin conjugate were detected by ELISA. Atopy was evaluated using a skin prick test. MDI-induced occupational asthma was confirmed in the symptomatic workers with a positive result on an MDI-specific inhalation test.

RESULTS:

Thirteen (22.4%) of the subjects complained of WRRS. MDI-induced occupational asthma was confirmed in five (8.6%) of the workers, and occupational eosinophilic bronchitis was confirmed in two (3.5%). The prevalence of specific IgG antibodies (20.7%) was higher than that of specific IgE antibodies (8.6%). The prevalence of MDI-induced occupational asthma/eosinophilic bronchitis was strongly associated with the presence of both WRRS and serum-specific IgG antibodies to an MDI-human serum albumin conjugate (P<0.01, <0.05, respectively).

CONCLUSION:

These findings suggest that MDI could be a causative agent of occupational asthma among MDI-exposed workers. The prevalence of MDI-induced occupational asthma was 8.6%, and MDI-induced eosinophilic bronchitis was confirmed in two workers. The presence of work-related lower-respiratory symptoms and serum-specific IgG antibodies to an MDI-human serum albumin conjugate may be used to predict MDI-induced occupational asthma/eosinophilic bronchitis in MDI-exposed workers.

• Authors: G-Y Hur, D-H Koh, G-S Choi, H-J Park, S-J Choi, Y-M Ye, K-S Kim, H-S Park
• Journal: Clinical and experimental allergy : journal of the British Society for Allergy and Clinical Immunology (Clin Exp Allergy) Vol. 38 Issue 4 Pg. 586-93 (Apr 2008) ISSN: 1365-2222 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 18352975 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Antibodies
• Immunoglobulin G
• Isocyanates
• Serum Albumin
• Immunoglobulin E
• 4,4'-diphenylmethane diisocyanate

Topics

• Adult
• Antibodies (immunology)
• Asthma (chemically induced, immunology)
• Automobiles
• Environmental Monitoring
• Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
• Female
• Humans
• Immunoglobulin E (immunology)
• Immunoglobulin G (immunology)
• Isocyanates (adverse effects)
• Korea
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Occupational Diseases (chemically induced, diagnosis, immunology)
• Occupational Exposure (adverse effects)
• Predictive Value of Tests
• Prevalence
• Reproducibility of Results
• Respiratory Tract Diseases (chemically induced, diagnosis, immunology)
• Serum Albumin (immunology)
• Skin Tests
• Spirometry
• Surveys and Questionnaires