engleski

Induced sputum evaluation in restorers and conservators of cultural heritage

The objective was to examine induced sputum (IS) cells profile from restorers/conservators of cultural heritage (restorers) with no lower airway symptoms and normal ventilatory lung function. The study involved 22 restorers and 48 control workers. Medical interview, physical examination, spirometry, skin prick testing to inhalatory allergens and IS collection were performed. Compared to control workers, restorers demonstrated higher percentage of sputum neutrophils (34% vs 15, 5 % ; P= 0.004). This pattern was found only in male workers. They had almost 9 times greater chance to have increased proportion of sputum neutrophils than male controls (OR 8.98 CI 1.98-40.7). The mobilization of eosinophils or macrophages into the airways was not established regardless of workers sex. Additional gender difference in sputum cells distribution was found for occupationally unexposed subjects with higher proportion of sputum neutrophils in women.

induced sputum; differential cell count; respiratory irritants; allergens; skin prick testing; atopy; restorers; occupational exposure; neutrophil response

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