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Changes in pro-inflammatory cytokines in association with exposure to moisture-damaged building microbes

¹ Dept of Respiratory Medicine, Kuopio University Hospital, Finland. ² Laboratory of Toxicology and ³ Laboratory of Environmental Microbiology, National Public Health Institute, Kuopio, Finland

CORRESPONDENCE: M.K. Purokivi, Dept of Respiratory Medicine, Kuopio University Hospital, P.O. Box 1777, FIN-70211, Kuopio, Finland. Fax: 358 17172683

Keywords: Cytokines, induced sputum, moisture, mould, nasal lavage

Received: January 3, 2001
Accepted July 31, 2001

This study was supported by The Academy of Finland, the Yrjö Jahnsson Foundation and The Finnish Work Environment Fund.

Several epidemiological studies have described an association between adverse health effects and exposure to mould and microbes present in the indoor air of moisture-damaged buildings. However, the biochemical linkage between microbial exposure and the large variety of reported respiratory symptoms is poorly understood.

In the present study, the authors compared the respiratory symptoms, the production of inflammatory mediators interleukin (IL)-1, IL-4, IL-6, tumour necrosis factor- (TNF-) and cell count in nasal lavage fluid and induced sputum samples of subjects working in moisture-damaged and control school buildings. The sampling was performed and the questionnaires were completed at the end of the spring term, at the end of the summer vacation (2.5 months), during the winter term and after a 1-week winter holiday.

The authors found a significant elevation of IL-1, TNF- and IL-6 in nasal lavage fluid and IL-6 in induced sputum during the spring term in the subjects from the moisture-damaged school building compared to the subjects from the control building. The exposed workers reported sore throat, phlegm, eye irritation, rhinitis, nasal obstruction and cough in parallel with these findings.

The present data suggests an association between microbial exposure, and symptoms as well as changes in pro-inflammatory mediators detected from both the upper and lower airways.

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