Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Occurrence and significance of precipitating antibodies against thermophilic actinomycetes in the sera of dairy herd workers, Nangali, Delhi

  • Published:
Antonie van Leeuwenhoek Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The study was prompted by the lack of information on the role of thermophilic actinomycetes in hypersensitivity pneumonitis in India. It reports the occurrence of precipitating antibodies against clinically important thermophilic actinomycetes in the sera of a population sample of dairy herd workers, Nangali, Delhi. Of 112 workers investigated, 28 (25%) showed precipitins againstFaenia rectivirgula, 4 (3.2%) againstSaccharomonospora viridis, 2 againstThermoactinomyces thalpophilus and one each againstT. vulgaris andT. sacchari. The results of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) indicated that IgG antibody activity againstF. rectivirgula was significantly higher in the symptomatic group than in the asymptomatic group (p<0.05) of workers and the controls (p<0.01). Significant difference inF. rectivirgula IgG activity was also obtained between the precipitin-positive symptomatic group and the precipitin-positive asymptomatic group (p< 0.05). In strong contrast, the IgG antibody activity againstT. thalpophilus was found to be uniformly low. A limited aeromicrobiological sampling of the dairy farm revealedS. viridis (55.8%) to be the commonest species followed byT. vulgaris (19.2%),T. thalpophilus (18.5%),F. rectivirgula (5%) andT. sacchari (15%). On the basis of suggestive clinical and laboratory findings, farmer's lung disease was suspected in four dairy herd workers. A comprehensive clinical evaluation including pulmonary function studies on the dairy herd workers and their long-term follow-up is indicated to determine the extent of respiratory morbidity caused byF. rectivirgula, S. viridis, T. thalpophilus, T. sacchari andT. vulgaris in India.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Boiron P, Puel B, Drouet E, Mariat F & Martirez-Machin G (1985) (Microbiological and serological studies of bagassosis in La-Reunion: Preliminary study). Etude microbiologique et serologique de la bagasse dans I'lle de La Reunion. Etude preliminaire. Bull. Soc. Fr. Mycol. Med. 14: 10–18

    Google Scholar 

  • Burrell R & Rylander R (1981) A critical review of the role of precipitins in hypersensitivity pneumonitis. Eur. J. Respir. Dis. 62: 332–343

    Google Scholar 

  • Butler JE, Feldbush TL, McGiven PL & Stewart N (1978) The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA): A measure of antibody concentration or affinity? Immunochemistry 15: 131–136

    Google Scholar 

  • Chmelik F, Flaherty DK & Reed CE (1975) Precipitating antibodies in office workers and hospitalized patients directed toward antigens causing hypersensitivity pneumonitis. Am. Rev. Respir. Dis. 111: 201–205

    Google Scholar 

  • Cormier Y, Belanger J & Durand P (1985) Factors influcing the development of serum precipitins to farmer's lung antigens in Quebec dairy farmers. Thorax. 42: 138–142

    Google Scholar 

  • doPico GA, Reddan WG, Chmelik F, Peters ME, Reed CE & Rankin J (1976) The value of precipitating antibodies in screening for hypersensitivity pneumonitis. Am. Rev. Respir. Dis. 113: 451–455

    Google Scholar 

  • doPico GA (1986) Reports on diseases. Am. J. Ind. Med. 10: 261–265.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fasani F, Bossi A & Garamia V (1987) Double diffusion and ELISA for the detection of IgG and IgM antibodies againstMicropolyspora faeni. Ann. Allergy. 59: 451–454

    Google Scholar 

  • Gangwar M, Khan ZU, Randhawa HS & Lacey J (1989) Distribution of clinically important thermophilic actinomycetes in vegetable substrates and soil in north western India. Antonie van Leeuwenhoek 56: 201–209

    Google Scholar 

  • Gruchow HW, Hoffmann HG, Marx JJJr, Emanuel DA & Rimm AA (1981) Precipitating antibodies of farmer's lung antigens in a Wisconsin farming population. Am. Rev. Respir. Dis. 124: 411–415

    Google Scholar 

  • Gump DW, Babbott FF, Holly C & Synester DL (1979) Farmer's lung disease in Vermont. Respiration. 37: 52–60

    Google Scholar 

  • Herbert J, Beaudoin J, Laviolette M, Beaudoin R, Belanger J & Cormier Y (1985) Absence of correlation between the degree of alveolitis and antibody levels ofMicropolysporum faeni. Clin. Exp. Immunol. 60: 572–578

    Google Scholar 

  • Homma Y, Terai T & Matsuzaki M (1986) Incidence of serum precipitating antibodies to farmer's lung antigens in Hokkaido. Respiration 49: 300–306

    Google Scholar 

  • Katila ML & Mantyjarvi RA (1978) The diagnostic value of antibodies to the traditional antigens of farmer's lung in Finland. Clin. Allergy 8: 581–587

    Google Scholar 

  • Kawai T, Salvaggio J, Arquembourg P & Marsh D (1973) Precipitating antibodies against organic dust antigens in human sera by counterimmunoelectrophoresis. Chest 64: 420–426

    Google Scholar 

  • Khan ZU, Richardson MD & Warnock DW (1984) Rapid enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for the detection of IgG antibodies againstMicropolyspora faeni andThermoactinomyces vulgaris. Clin. Allergy 14: 295–305

    Google Scholar 

  • Khan ZU, Misra VC & Randhawa HS (1985) Precipitating antibodies againstMicropolyspora faeni in equines in north-western India. Antonie van Leeuwenhoek 51: 313–319

    Google Scholar 

  • Konishi K, Murakami S, Kukubu K, Itoh H, Mouri T & Tamura M (1985) Determination by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) of specific IgG antibody activities for diagnosis of farmer's lung disease. Tohoku. J. Exp. Med. 147: 135–144

    Google Scholar 

  • Kurup VP & Fink JN (1975) A scheme for identification of thermophilic actinomycetes associated with hypersensitivity pneumonitis. J. Clin. Microbiol. 2: 55–61

    Google Scholar 

  • Kurup VP, Barboriak JJ, Fink JN & Scribner G (1976) Immunologic cross reactions among thermophilic actinomycetes associated with hypersensitivity pneumonitis. J. Allergy Clin. Immunol. 57(5): 417–421

    Google Scholar 

  • Kurup VP, Mantyjarvi RA, Terho EO, Ojanen TH & Kalbfleisch JH (1987) Circulating IgG antibodies against fungal and actinomycete antigens in the sera of farmer's lung patients from different countries. Mycopathologia 98: 91–99

    Google Scholar 

  • Kusaka H, Homma Y, Ogasawara H, Munakata M, Tanimura K, Ukita H, Denzumi N & Kawakami Y (1989) Five year follow up ofMicropolyspora faeni antibody in the smoking and non-smoking farmers. Am. Rev. Respir. Dis. 140: 695–699

    Google Scholar 

  • Lacey J (1980) Thermophilic actinomycetes associated with farmer's lung. In: deHaller R & Suter F (Eds) Aspergillosis and Farmer's Lung in Man and Animals (pp 155–168). Bern Hans. Buber

    Google Scholar 

  • Lacey J (1988) Actinomycetes as biodeteriogens and pollutants of the environment. In: Goodfellow M, Williams ST & Mordraski M (Eds) Actinomycetes in Biotechnology (pp 359–432). Academic Press, London

    Google Scholar 

  • Madsen D, Kloch LE, Wenzel FJ, Lamer JR & Schmidt CD (1976) The prevalence of farmer's lung in an agricultural population. Am. Rev. Respir. Dis. 113: 171–174

    Google Scholar 

  • Morgan DC, Smyth JT, Lister RW, Pathbridge RJ, Gilson JC, Callaghan P & Thomes GO (1975) Chest symptoms in farming communities with special reference to farmer's lung. Br. J. Ind. Med. 32: 228–234

    Google Scholar 

  • Pagan E, Kurup VP & Fink JN (1978) Incidence of serum precipitins against thermophilic actinomycetes, pigeon dropping and fungal antigens in Puerto Rico. Biol. Assoc. Medica. de P. Rico 70(11): 375–381

    Google Scholar 

  • Pepys J (1969) Hypersensitivity diseases of the lungs due to fungi and organic dusts. In: Kallos P, Hasek M, Inderbitzin TM, Miescher PA & Waksman BH (Eds) Manographs in Allergy, No. 4 (pp 89–111). S. Karger, Basel

    Google Scholar 

  • Pepys J & Jenkins PA (1965) Preciptin (FLH) test in farmer's lung. Thorax. 20: 21–55

    Google Scholar 

  • Pether JVS & Greatorex FB (1976) Farmer's lung in Somerset. Br. J. Ind. Med. 33: 265–268

    Google Scholar 

  • Roberts RC, Wenzel FJ & Emanuel DS (1976) Precipitating antibodies in a midwest dairy farming population towards the antigens associated with farmer's lung disease. J. Allergy Clin. Immunol. 57: 518–524

    Google Scholar 

  • Smyth JT, Adkins GE, Lloyd M, Moore B & McWhite E (1975) Farmer's lung in Devon. Thorax. 30: 197–203

    Google Scholar 

  • Terho EO & Lacey J (1979) Microbiological and serological studies on farmer's lung in Finland. Clinical Allergy 9: 43–52

    Google Scholar 

  • Terho EO, Heinenen OP, Lammi S & Laukkanen V (1987) Incidence of clinically confirmed farmer's lung in Finland and its relation to meteorological factors. Eur. J. Respir. Dis. Suppl. 152(71): 47–56

    Google Scholar 

  • Wilson EV & Hearn VM (1983) Use of Aspergillus fumigatus mycelial antigens in enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and counter-immunoelectrophoresis. J. Med. Microbiol. 16: 97–105

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Medical Mycology, Vallabhbhai Patel Chest Institute, University of Delhi, P.O. Box 2101, 110007, Delhi, India

    Madhurama Gangwar, Z. U. Khan & H. S. Randhawa

  2. Department of Clinical Research, Vallabhbhai Patel Chest Institute, University of Delhi, P.O. Box 2101, 110007, Delhi, India

    S. N. Gaur

Authors
  1. Madhurama Gangwar
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Z. U. Khan
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. S. N. Gaur
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. H. S. Randhawa
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Gangwar, M., Khan, Z.U., Gaur, S.N. et al. Occurrence and significance of precipitating antibodies against thermophilic actinomycetes in the sera of dairy herd workers, Nangali, Delhi. Antonie van Leeuwenhoek 59, 167–175 (1991). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00580656

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00580656

Key words

Search

Navigation