Hypersensitivity pneumonitis in a hardwood processing plant related to heavy mold exposure

Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
Marc VeilletteCaroline Duchaine

Abstract

Two workers employed in a hardwood floor plant presented symptoms suggestive of hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP). At that plant, kiln-dried wood often shows moldy growth and is subsequently brought inside for processing. This study evaluated the environment in attempt to identify the causative antigen and verify whether other workers of this and similar plants had or were at risk of developing HP. Dust from dust-removing systems and molds on the surface of wood planks were collected and air samples taken from a sister plant. Blood samples, spirometry, and symptoms' questionnaires were obtained from 11 co-workers. Dense Paecilomyces growth was observed on the surface of the dried processed wood in the index plant. This fungal genus was not detected in the sister plant. An additional worker had symptoms suggestive of HP, and his bronchoalveolar lavage revealed a lymphocytic alveolitis. The 3 confirmed cases of HP and the other 10 workers had positive specific IgG antibodies to Paecilomyces. We report 3 cases of HP out of 13 workers and a 100% sensitization to molds in workers of a hardwood processing plant. This rate is much higher than what is commonly seen in other environments associated with HP. The drying process is suspect...Continue Reading

References

Feb 1, 1988·The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology·M S DykewiczH M Sommers
Jan 1, 1987·International Archives of Allergy and Applied Immunology·L Belin
Sep 1, 1995·American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine
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Dec 29, 2000·Archives of Environmental Health·Y CormierC Duchaine
Jul 5, 2003·American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine·Yves LacasseUNKNOWN HP Study Group

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Citations

Apr 25, 2008·Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology : Official Publication of the American College of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology·I Leonard BernsteinUNKNOWN American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology
May 16, 2007·Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene·H Kenneth DillonJ David Miller
Sep 9, 2010·Chest·Mark L MeterskyRichard J Wallace
Oct 21, 2015·Occupational Medicine·R E WiggansC M Barber
Mar 14, 2017·Clinical and Molecular Allergy : CMA·Gian Galeazzo Riario Sforza, Androula Marinou
Feb 24, 2021·Heart & Lung : the Journal of Critical Care·Yuko KawamotoMakoto Tanaka

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Methods Mentioned

BETA
bronchoalveolar lavage
ELISA

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