Abstract

The relationship between respiratory symptoms and immunological reactions was studied in 57 female workers holding jobs in the poultry food processing industry and in 51 non-exposed female workers. The prevalence of all chronic respiratory symptoms was significantly higher in exposed than in control workers (P < 0.01) except for occupational asthma. The prevalence of chronic respiratory symptoms in exposed workers was highest for chronic cough (49.1%), followed by dyspnoea (43.9%), rhinitis (38.6%), chronic phlegm (31.6%) and chronic bronchitis (26.3%). Occupational asthma was found in 5.3% of exposed workers. Exposed workers with positive skin prick test to poultry food demonstrated a higher prevalence of all chronic respiratory symptoms than those with negative skin tests, although the difference was statistically significant only for rhinitis (P < 0.05). The most frequent positive skin reactions were found for poultry food extract (exposed: 66.7%; control: 25.5%; P < 0.05). Increased IgE serum level was found in 19 (33.3%) exposed and in four (7.8%) control workers (P < 0.01). Three exposed workers with occupational asthma demonstrated increased IgE serum level. Our data indicate that occupational exposure to poultry food dust may be associated with the development of chronic respiratory symptoms and immunological changes in exposed workers

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