Immunological and respiratory changes in soy bean workers

Summary

Immunological and respiratory findings were studied in a group of 19 male soybean workers. Twenty control workers also participated in the immunological studies. All soybean workers had positive immediate skin reactions to soybean extract, as did 19/20 control workers. Similarly, 18/19 soy workers reacted to soy antigen prepared after separation from oil, but only 3/19 to soy lecithin antigen and 1 to soy oil antigen. A majority of soy workers (13/19) reacted to house dust. Only 3/19 soy workers had increased levels of soy-specific IgE. The prevalence of chronic respiratory symptoms was higher in exposed than in control workers, being significantly different for dyspnea (P < 0.01). Workers with increased specific serum IgE or positive skin tests to house dust did not have any more symptoms than workers with negative tests. Ventilatory function was significantly worse in soybean workers than expected. Nevertheless, workers with positive skin or serological tests to house dust had across-shift changes similar to those with negative tests. These data suggest that skin and airway responses to soybean components (particularly the non-lipid ones) are very frequent among soybean workers. In the current study specific (soy) and non-specific (house dust) skin tests and immunoglobulins did not allow us to identify the workers at risk of developing symptoms or lung function abnormalities. This suggests that in addition to any atopic mechanisms, the irritant effect of soy dust may play a role in this occupational airway disease.