J Douwes

..To study respiratory symptoms in pine sawmill workers...

..1-0.6; p<0.01). In conclusion, sewage treatment workers develop a large variety of work-related symptoms that are not likely caused by endotoxin exposure only. Good hygienic practice at the workplace may prevent some of these symptoms..

..It is concluded that, although it is plausible that bacterial endotoxin may protect against the development of asthma, there is considerable reason for caution regarding this hypothesis...

..It is therefore important to study the aetiology of asthma further, including the underlying inflammatory profiles...

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..Growing up on a farm and an anthroposophic lifestyle are associated with a lower prevalence of allergic diseases in childhood. This might be related to increased inhalatory exposure to microbial agents...

..30-0.73) and eczema (OR 0.46, 95% CI 0.30-0.70). Prenatal exposure may contribute to the low prevalence of asthma, hay fever and eczema in farmers' children, but continued exposure may be required to maintain optimal protection...

..In populations with high microbial agent levels and low sensitization rates, the curve is shifted down...

..A study of occupational respiratory symptoms in hairdressers was carried out in 26 salons in New Zealand...

..Moreover, little is known about the role of timing of exposure. We assessed the effects of current and childhood farm exposures on asthma, hay fever and eczema in farmers and a rural nonfarming control population...

..No associations with cross-shift changes in lung function were found. Exposure to green pine sawdust may be a risk factor for atopy. Both green and dry dust were associated with obstructive as well as restrictive pulmonary effects...

..Further analyses are, however, required to assess the association between exposure to these various microbial agents and allergic and airway diseases in the PARSIFAL population...

..In addition, existing methods to assess environmental (1-->3)-beta-D-glucan exposure require validation and further development before they can be used routinely in large scale epidemiological studies...

..Exposure to organic dust probably underlies the inflammation mediated by neutrophils that result in respiratory symptoms...

..3% reported regular use. Although BHR and median eosinophil numbers were significantly higher in the inadequately controlled asthmatics, BHR and sputum eosinophilia had poor sensitivity for detecting inadequate asthma control...

..Global comparisons of asthma prevalence and assessment of time trends will continue to play a major role in this process...

..Children from farming families have less allergies than their peers. Consumption of farm milk or unpasteurized milk has been shown to explain (part of) the farming effect or protect against allergies independent of farming status...

..Studies of adult farmers have shown conflicting results but often lack exposure data. The prevalence of asthma in farmers with different exposure levels to microbial agents and irritant gases was compared...

..4-1.6). Lower endotoxin was associated with floor insulation (GMR: 0.4-0.8), and north-facing living rooms (GMR: 0.4-0.8). This study has identified home characteristics that could be modified to reduce endotoxin exposure...

..A potential loss of Fel d 1 during storage of frozen dust samples needs further investigations by repeated measurements of allergen in identical dust samples...

..4, 95% CI 0.2-0.8); and pigs with SPT positivity (OR = 0.2, 95% CI 0.1-0.9). CONCLUSIONS: Despite finding a protective effect of early-life animal exposures, we found a greater prevalence of allergic disease on farms...

..4). We conclude that that the amount of dust sampled can be used as a proxy for hygiene and that beta(1-->3)-glucan concentrations per square meter are related to the amount of dust sampled...

..Indoor environmental factors such as dampness seemed to be important determinants for allergen and endotoxin, but living habits such as lack of mattress cover appeared unimportant...

..Confirmation of the pathogenetic role of these environmental determinants may allow us to develop primary preventive strategies against the development of asthma and related atopic diseases...

..35 kU x L(-1) was used as cut-off. These results, showing an association between prenatal allergen and endotoxin exposures and immunoglobulin E production, suggest that the development of foetal immune responses may be affected...