Organic dusts and disease: a continuous research challenge.

Research on organic dust during recent years has revealed major clinical effects and some causative agents. Many of the symptoms reported are caused by an inflammation in the airways, characterized by a neutrophil response. This condition can cause a non-allergic asthma. There are also reactions characterized by lymphocyte accumulation and by specific IgE antibody formation. Causative agents identified as bacterial endotoxins, molds, and different allergens.