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Among the occupational skin diseases, bird mite dermatitis (gamasoidosis) is an infrequent and under-reported condition. A report is presented of a group of workers employed in a habitat restoration centre who developed episodes of pruritus and skin rashes associated with bird mites. The mite bites resolved approximately two weeks after each episode, without specific medical intervention and despite ongoing work activities. A workplace health-risk assessment and microscopic analysis of 'swabs' of the work environment aided the identification of bird mite as the causative agent. The source of the bird mites was infested red-winged starlings nesting in the roof of the workplace facility. Incidents of gamasoidosis as described are considered occupational dermatoses since they were acquired in the workplace and the diagnosis was based on clinical--parasitological analysis. When diagnosing gamasoidosis, the clinical history and physical examination provide useful clues, but the clinical features of skin lesions of arthropod or other insect bites are very similar. Microscopic detection of the mite is confirmatory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The fifth Jack Pepys Workshop on Asthma in the Workplace focused on the similarities and differences of work-related asthma (WRA) and non-work-related asthma (non-WRA). WRA includes occupational asthma (OA) and work-exacerbated asthma (WEA). There are few biological differences in the mechanisms of sensitization to environmental and occupational allergens. Non-WRA and OA, when due to high-molecular-weight agents, are both IgE mediated; it is uncertain whether OA due to low-molecular-weight agents is also IgE mediated. Risk factors for OA include female sex, a history of upper airway symptoms, and a history of bronchial hyperresponsiveness. Atopy is a risk factor for OA due to high-molecular-weight agents, and exposure to cleaning agents is a risk factor for both OA and non-WRA. WEA is important among workers with preexisting asthma and may overlap with irritant-induced asthma, a type of OA. Induced sputum cytology can confirm airway inflammation, but specific inhalation challenge is the reference standard diagnostic test. Inhalation challenges are relatively safe, with the most severe reactions occurring with low-molecular-weight agents. Indirect health care costs account for about 50% of total asthma costs. Workers with poor asthma control (WRA or non-WRA) are less likely to be employed. Income loss is a major contributor to the indirect costs of WRA. Overall, asthma outcomes probably are worse for adult-onset than for childhood-onset asthma but better for OA than adult-onset non-WRA. Important aspects of management of OA are rapid and proper confirmation of the diagnosis and reduction of exposure to sensitizers or irritants at work and home.

Fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) is a non-invasive biomarker of eosinophilic airway inflammation. FeNO is elevated in allergic asthma and its production increases in the airways in the presence of Type-2 inflammation. Both individual and occupational factors are associated with increased FeNO in workers with occupational asthma. This review focuses on identifying the specific predictors of elevated FeNO in workers at risk of developing occupational respiratory allergy and asthma, with a specific focus on those settings where it is used for medical screening and surveillance. The review found that individual factors such as age and atopy are associated with increased FeNO, whereas smoking and inhaled steroid use are consistently associated with decreased FeNO levels. Occupational factors such as exposure to either high or low molecular weight agents, occupational allergic sensitisation, the nature of work, the duration of employment and the level of exposure to occupational allergen(s) are associated with elevated FeNO. More recent evidence suggests that it is the agent's ability to induce an IgE-mediated mechanism, and not its molecular weight or its nature, that is responsible for elevated FeNO levels in occupationally exposed workers. Stronger epidemiological study designs such as cohort studies are needed that offer better opportunities to investigate these relationships in a more refined manner. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Among the occupational skin diseases, bird mite dermatitis (gamasoidosis) is an infrequent and under-reported condition. A report is presented of a group of workers employed in a habitat restoration centre who developed episodes of pruritus and skin rashes associated with bird mites. The mite bites resolved approximately two weeks after each episode, without specific medical intervention and despite ongoing work activities. A workplace health-risk assessment and microscopic analysis of 'swabs' of the work environment aided the identification of bird mite as the causative agent. The source of the bird mites was infested red-winged starlings nesting in the roof of the workplace facility. Incidents of gamasoidosis as described are considered occupational dermatoses since they were acquired in the workplace and the diagnosis was based on clinical-parasitological analysis. When diagnosing gamasoidosis, the clinical history and physical examination provide useful clues, but the clinical features of skin lesions of arthropod or other insect bites are very similar. Microscopic detection of the mite is confirmatory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives:The Tanzanian aquaculture industry represents great potential for food production and jobs; however, the potential occupational hazards and health risks associated with the sector have not been assessed. The aim of this study was to conduct a scoping analysis of the status of occupational health and safety based on current Tanzanian aquaculture activities, specifically in the fish farming and seaweed farming sectors. Methods: Relevant information for the scoping analysis was obtained through aquaculture site visits and worker observation, interviews with key aquaculture stakeholders, and a review of literature relevant to the Tanzanian aquaculture sector published in scientific communications as well as grey literature. Results: The study shows that the Tanzanian aquaculture industry is still in nascent stages, especially in relation to occupational health and safety despite some well-established isolated operations in the country. The industry is dominated by small-scale fish and seaweed farmers, the majority of whom work in the informal and semi-formal sectors. Tanzanian aquaculture workers are exposed to a number of occupational hazards and their associated health effects have been poorly characterized. Substantial gender disparities exist within the sector, which together with climate change, impact worker health and safety. Conclusion: Future research should focus on characterizing occupational exposures and documenting the associated health effects in Tanzanian aquaculture workers. Standardized methods should be used for this purpose to take into account gender disparities as well as the impact of climate change on occupational health and safety of these vulnerable workers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: A machine operator at a factory that packages raw forms of legumes and grains developed work-related ocular-nasal and asthma symptoms associated with exposure to legume dust at work. Despite earlier sensitisation, he developed ingestion-related symptoms to lentils much later, after tolerating exposure for years. Methods: Work-related symptoms were evaluated clinically and by means of a walk-through inspection to ascertain the extent of exposure to legume dust. Respiratory function assessment entailed spirometry accompanied by a bronchodilator challenge and serial peak flow monitoring. Immunological evaluation included investigation for atopy using Phadiatop and skin-prick tests to common aeroallergens, specific IgE reactivity to potential workplace legume and grain food allergens as well as other potentially cross-reacting food agents. SDS-PAGE and immunoblot testing were used to determine the molecular weights of the putative allergen using food samples obtained from the factory and the serum of the index case. Results: Occupational asthma was confirmed based on the finding of airway reversibility and a positive work effect index score of 3.73 in the presence of sensitisation to different lentils and split peas. The molecular weights of potential allergens were identified as being a ~50 kDa protein (possibly Len C 1 and Pis s 1 respectively), one between 75-100 kDa and another of 25 kDa. There also appeared to be cross-sensitisation to other legumes, notably chickpea. Conclusion: This rare case of occupational legume (lentil and split pea) allergy resulting in occupational rhinitis and asthma highlights the role of inhalant workplace food allergens and the need for improved workplace dust control measures and exposure standards in the food industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]