![Sample our Medicine, Dentistry, Nursing & Allied Health journals, sign in here to start your FREE access for 14 days]({"type":"image" , "src" : "/sda/5944/TOC-Subject-Sample-2021-Medicine-Dentistry-Nursing-Allied-Health.jpg"})
Abstract
Background. Laboratory animal allergy (LAA) may cause eosinophilic airway inflammation, for which exhaled nitric oxide (FENO) measurements are sensitive and specific. Our objective was to assess whether serial FENO measurements might detect exposure-related inflammation in laboratory animal workers. Methods. Fifty laboratory animal workers participated. Measurements of FENO and spirometry were obtained at baseline (Friday) and twice-daily following a weekend with no animal contact. Results. Eleven of 50 subjects had work-related symptoms, and 2 of 11 had positive serology for LAA. Baseline FENO was high (> 150 ppb) in the two seropositive subjects and increased progressively during the working week in one subject, confirming exposure-driven airway inflammation. In seronegative subjects, mean FENO levels were 19.8 (standard deviation [SD], 20.1) and 21.7 (SD, 20.8) in the symptomatic and nonsymptomatic groups, respectively, with no significant changes in FENO over time. Conclusion. Serial FENO measurements may provide complementary information in the assessment of possible occupational sensitisation. The sensitivity and specificity of this approach to diagnosing occupational asthma requires further evaluation.
| Abbreviations | ||
| AHR | = | Airway hyper-responsiveness |
| COPD | = | Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease |
| FENO | = | Fraction of nitric oxide in exhaled air |
| FEV1 | = | Forced expiratory volume in one second |
| FVC | = | Forced vital capacity |
| ICS | = | Inhaled corticosteroid |
| IgE | = | Immunoglobulin E |
| LAA | = | Laboratory animal allergy |
| LAR | = | Late asthmatic reaction |
| PD20 | = | Provocative dose causing a 20% fall in FEV1 |
| PEFR | = | Peak expiratory flow rate |
| RAST | = | Radio-allergosorbent test |
| SD | = | Standard deviation |
| Abbreviations | ||
| AHR | = | Airway hyper-responsiveness |
| COPD | = | Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease |
| FENO | = | Fraction of nitric oxide in exhaled air |
| FEV1 | = | Forced expiratory volume in one second |
| FVC | = | Forced vital capacity |
| ICS | = | Inhaled corticosteroid |
| IgE | = | Immunoglobulin E |
| LAA | = | Laboratory animal allergy |
| LAR | = | Late asthmatic reaction |
| PD20 | = | Provocative dose causing a 20% fall in FEV1 |
| PEFR | = | Peak expiratory flow rate |
| RAST | = | Radio-allergosorbent test |
| SD | = | Standard deviation |