Immunological and respiratory changes in soy-bean workers

Imunološki status i respiratorna funkcija ispitivani su u skupini od 19 radnika na preradi soje i u 31 radnika kontrolne skupine. Svi radnici u preradi soje imali su pozitivne kožne reakcije na prašinu soje, 18 radnika na antigen soje nakon ekstrakcije ulja, tri na sojin lecitin i samo jedan na sojino ulje. U tri radnika na preradi soje utvrđeni su povišeni specifični imunoglobulini lgE. Među radnicima kontrolne skupine 19 je reagiralo pozitivnim kožnim testovima na alergen soje, 20 na soju nakon ekstrakcije ulja, a niti jedan na sojino ulje. U jednog radnika utvrđen je povišeni specifični IgE. Prevalencija kroničnih respiratornih simptoma bila je viša u eksponiranih nego u kontrolnih radnika (statistički značajno samo za dispneju, P<0,01). Radnici na preradi soje s povećanim IgE, kao i oni s pozitivnim kožnim testovima na kućnu prašinu nisu pokazivali veću prevalenciju kroničnih respiratornih simptoma nego oni s negativnim testovima. Snižene vrijednosti ventilacijskog kapaciteta utvrđene su u relativno velikog broja radnika. Radnici s pozitivnim kožnim testovima na kućnu prašinu imali su slične akutne redukcije kao i oni s negativnim kožnim testovima. Osim toga utvrđivali smo djelovanje ekstrakta soje na izoliranoj traheji zamorčeta, Rezultati su pokazali da je ekstrakt vrlo aktivan uzrokujući direktno konstrikciju glatke muskulature bronha. Rezultati upućuju na to da je senzibilizacija na soju vrlo česta, premda na temelju ovih podataka ne možemo zaključiti o ulozi atopije u razvoju respiratornih bolesti i promjena plućne funkcije.Immunological and respiratory findings were studied in a group of 19 male soy-bean workers. A group of 31 control workers were examined for the prevalence of respiratory symptoms and 20 control workers were included in the immunological study. All soy-bean workers had positive immediate skin reaction to soy-bean dust, IR to soy antigen after separation from oil, three to lecithin antigen and only one to soy oil. Only three soy-bean workers had increased levels of specific IgE. Among 20 control workers, 19 reacted to soy-bean dust, 20 to soy after separation of oil and none to soy oil. One demonstrated increased specific IgE. The prevalence of chronic respiratory symptoms was considerably higher in exposed than in control workers, being statistically different for dyspnea (P < 0.01). The statistically significant acute reductions in ventilatory capacity were particularly pronounced for FEF50 (- 4.7%) and FEF25 (- 9.4%). The mean ventilatory capacity values before shift on monday were significantly lower than those on the following Friday for FVC, FEF50 and FEF25. There was no difference in ventilatory capacity between soy-bean workers with positive and those with negative skin tests to house dust or between those with increased and those with normal IgE serum levels. A water soluble extract of soy-bean dust was also assayed in organ bath containing guinea pig trachea. This model showed the extract to be highly reactive causing a dose-related constriction of airway smooth muscle. Our data suggest that immunologic sensitization to soy-bean products is very frequent. In addition to possible humoral contribution to respiratory disorders, soy dust seems to directly affect airway smooth muscle