Sensitization To Avian Or Fungal Proteins In Different Work Environments

Hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP) is usually caused by the inhalation of avian and fungal proteins. The present study assesses a cohort of Urban Pest Surveillance and Control Service (UPSCS) workers with high exposure to avian and fungal antigens, in order to identify their degree of sensitization to these antigens and the potential risk of developing HP. The study population was formed by bird investigators and/or managers at UPSCS of the Public Health Agency, Parks and Gardens staff in Barcelona and employees of private urban pest control firms. Workers were divided according to their work activity in two groups: Nests pruning and Others. All individuals underwent a medical interview regarding exposure, pulmonary function tests and specific IgG antibodies. Antigenic proteins of pigeon sera were investigated using 2-dimensional immunoblotting with sera
from patients with HP, asymptomatic exposed controls and healthy volunteers. Proteins of interest were sequenced by liquid-chromatography-mass scpectrometry (LC-MS). One hundred and one workers have been included in the study (76 men, average age: 42 years); 41 in the Nests pruning group and 60 in the others group. In the nests pruning group, specific parakeet IgGs were higher (p=0.03) and FVC% and DLCO/VA% were lower (p=0.04 and 0.01, respectively). Two-dimensional immunoblotting showed protein bands of 20-30 KDa recognized by HP patients but not by workers. LC-MS analysis identified Ig Lambda chain
and Apolipoprotein A-I as candidate proteins to distinguish HP patients from exposed workers. We observed a high degree of sensitization to avian and fungal antigens in the study population. In the nests pruning group, alterations in some pulmonary function parameters were found. We identified two pigeon proteins that may play a role in the development of pathological differences between HP patients and exposed workers. This study was funded by ISCIII (PI15 / 01954), FEDER and FUCAP