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ANNUAL CONFERENCE :: Abstract Library
Abstract Library
2003 Conference Abstract
| Type of Submission |
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Submission Type: |
Poster Presentation |
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Subject Category: |
Applied Microbiology |
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| Session Information |
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Presentation Date: |
May 26, 2003 |
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Abstract ID: |
A30 |
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Session: |
Poster 1 |
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Time: |
14:00 |
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| Presenting Author |
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M VEILLETTE, Unité de Recherche, Institut universitaire de Cardiologie et de Pneumologie, et département de biochimie et microbiologie, Université Laval. Ste-Foy, Québec, Canada
marc.veillette@crhl.ulaval.ca |
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| Other Authors |
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M VEILLETTE, Unité de Recherche, Institut universitaire de Cardiologie et de Pneumologie, et département de biochimie et microbiologie, Université Laval. Ste-Foy, Québec, Canada
C DUCHAINE, Unité de Recherche, Institut universitaire de Cardiologie et de Pneumologie, et département de biochimie et microbiologie, Université Laval. Ste-Foy, Québec, Canada
Y CORMIER, Unité de Recherche, Institut universitaire de Cardiologie et de Pneumologie, et département de biochimie et microbiologie, Université Laval. Ste-Foy, Québec, Canada
E ASSAYAG, Unité de Recherche, Institut universitaire de Cardiologie et de Pneumologie, et département de biochimie et microbiologie, Université Laval. Ste-Foy, Québec, Canada
A MÉRIAUX, Unité de Recherche, Institut universitaire de Cardiologie et de Pneumologie, et département de biochimie et microbiologie, Université Laval. Ste-Foy, Québec, Canada
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| Title |
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Hypersensitivity pneumonitis in a hard wood processing plant: Impact and etiology |
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| Abstract Text |
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Introduction. Two workers employed in a hard wood floor manufacturing plant presented symptoms suggestive of HP. The diagnosis was confirmed by clinical evaluation, the finding of patchy ground glass infiltrations on high resolution computed tomography, and a lymphocytic alveolitis on bronchoalveolar lavage (205x106 total cells, 52% lymphocytes and 128x106 cells, 64% lymphocytes). The company employed 200 workers. Rough wood is dried in kilns where the temperature is slowly increased up to 70°C and returned to outside temperature over a period as long as 60 days in the case of Oak wood. This process is believed to allow mouldy growth on the wood surface; wood is subsequently brought inside the plant for processing. Methods. Airborne contaminants were analyzed in the plant where the HP cases were seen and in another plant where no health problems had been reported (both plants perform the same transformation but used different wood species and drying procedures). Dust samples from dust-removing system and oak wood planks (before and after drying) were collected from the problematic plant. Blood samples, spirometry, and symptoms’ questionaires were obtained from eleven employees who worked in the same section of the plant as the two index cases. Results. Microbial analyses of the air of the problematic plant revealed larger quantities of Paecilomyces than that of the non-problematic plant. Dried and moldy oak planks had a high concentration of Paecilomyces growth on their surface whereas non-dried planks had a majority of of Penicillium moulds. Paecilomyces was the only important mold cultured from dust samples. One subject (a smoker) had symptoms suggestive of HP and his BAL revealed a lymphocytic alveolitis (123.6X106 total cells, 26% lymphocytes) thus confirming that he had HP. All workers, including the three cases of HP, had positive specific IgG antibodies to Paecilomyces, the cases and one controls had the highest levels. Conclusion. We report a high prevalence of HP (3/13) and a 100% sensitization to molds of workers in a hard wood processing plant. This prevalence is much higher than what is commonly seen in other environments associated with HP (ex: dairy barns). The drying process is probably responsible for the massive contamination. |
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