Naslov
Levels of the fungal allergen Asp f 1 in dust from two sawmills in Croatia: a pilot study

Autori
Prester, Ljerka ; Macan, Jelena

Izvornik
Aerobiologia (Bologna) (0393-5965) 30 (2014); 189-196

Vrsta, podvrsta i kategorija rada
Radovi u časopisima, članak, znanstveni

Ključne riječi
aeroallergen; mould; sawmill; industrial hygiene; occupational exposure; wood dust

Sažetak
Asp f 1 (ribotoxin) is the main allergen of Aspergillus fumigatus and a critical factor in provoking allergic responses and bronchopulmonary aspergillosis. This study investigated the prevalence of allergen Asp f 1 in dust samples collected at two Croatian sawmills from different working sites (sawmilling, parquetry and sorting). A total of thirty-five floor dust samples were collected, extracted, and the mass fraction of Asp f 1 was determined using a commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. More than 91% of the collected dust samples had detectable levels of Asp f 1 (limit detection, 3.6 ng g-1). The median Asp f 1 mass fractions in Sawmill 1 and Sawmill 2 were 49.4 ng g-1 (range, <3.6-120 ng g-1) and 35.5 ng g-1(range, 15.1-77.2 ng g-1), respectively. At both sawmills, higher median Asp f 1 values were found in the dust from sawmilling than from parquetry sites. These preliminary findings suggest the abundance of allergen Asp f 1 in reservoir dust in the woodworking environments of both sawmills. Assessment of Asp f 1 in future studies will provide further insight into the role of this allergen in eliciting respiratory morbidity.

Izvorni jezik
Engleski

Znanstvena područja
Javno zdravstvo i zdravstvena zaštita

POVEZANOST RADA