Journal article
Airborne endotoxin predicts symptoms in non-mouse-sensitized technicians and research scientists exposed to laboratory mice
American journal of respiratory and critical care medicine, Vol.167(7), pp.983-990
2003
DOI: 10.1164/rccm.2112062
PMID: 12663339
Abstract
Research scientists, laboratory technicians, and animal handlers who work with animals frequently report respiratory and skin symptoms from exposure to laboratory animals (LA). However, on the basis of prick skin tests or RASTs, only half are sensitized to LA. We hypothesized that aerosolized endotoxin from mouse work is responsible for symptoms in nonsensitized workers. We performed a cross-sectional study of 269/310 (87%) workers at a research institution. Subjects completed a questionnaire and underwent prick skin tests (n = 254) or RASTs (n = 16) for environmental and LA allergens. We measured airborne mouse allergen and endotoxin in the animal facility and in research laboratories. Of 212 workers not sensitized to mice, 34 (16%) reported symptoms compared with 26 (46%) of mouse-sensitized workers (p < 0.001). Symptomatic workers were more likely to be atopic, regardless of mouse sensitization status. Symptomatic non–mouse-sensitized workers spent more time performing animal experiments in the animal facility (p = 0.0001) and in their own laboratories (p < 0.0001) and had higher daily endotoxin exposure (p = 0.008) compared with asymptomatic coworkers. In a multivariate model, daily endotoxin exposure most strongly predicted symptoms to mice in non–mouse-sensitized workers (odds ratio = 30.8, p = 0.003). We conclude that airborne endotoxin is associated with respiratory symptoms to mice in non–mouse-sensitized scientists and technicians.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Airborne endotoxin predicts symptoms in non-mouse-sensitized technicians and research scientists exposed to laboratory mice
- Creators
- Karin A Pacheco - Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, College of Public Health, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, United StatesCharles Mccammon - Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, College of Public Health, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, United StatesAndrew H Liu - Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, College of Public Health, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, United StatesPeter S Thorne - University of Iowa, Occupational and Environmental HealthMarsha E O'NEILL - Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, College of Public Health, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, United StatesJohn Martyny - Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, College of Public Health, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, United StatesLee S Newman - Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, College of Public Health, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, United StatesRichard F Hamman - Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, College of Public Health, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, United StatesCecile S Rose - Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, College of Public Health, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, United States
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- American journal of respiratory and critical care medicine, Vol.167(7), pp.983-990
- Publisher
- American Lung Association
- DOI
- 10.1164/rccm.2112062
- PMID
- 12663339
- ISSN
- 1073-449X
- eISSN
- 1535-4970
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 2003
- Academic Unit
- Civil and Environmental Engineering; Occupational and Environmental Health
- Record Identifier
- 9983557322302771
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