Risk factors associated with allergic sensitization and asthma phenotypes among poultry farm workers |
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| Authors: | Dorothy Ngajilo MD MMed Tanusha Singh PhD Edith Ratshikhopha MSc Payal Dayal MSc Onnicah Matuka MSc Med Roslynn Baatjies PhD Mohamed F Jeebhay MBChB MPH PhD |
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| Institution: | 1. Division of Occupational Medicine and Centre for Environmental and Occupational Health Research, School of Public Health and Family Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa;2. National Institute for Occupational Health, National Health Laboratory Services, Immunology and Microbiology Section, Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa;3. Department of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, School of Pathology, University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa;4. Department of Environmental and Occupational Studies, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Cape Peninsula University of Technology, Cape Town, South Africa |
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| Abstract: | Background This study investigated the risk factors for occupational allergic sensitization and various asthma phenotypes in poultry‐workers. Methods A cross‐sectional study of 230 workers used a modified ECRHS questionnaire, spirometry, FeNO, Phadiatop, and sIgE to poultry farming related allergens. Results Worker's mean age was 37 ± 9 years, 68% male, 43% current‐smokers, 34% atopic, and 5% casual‐workers. The prevalence of non‐atopic asthma (NAA = 7%) was higher than atopic‐asthma (AA = 5%) and probable allergic occupational‐asthma (OA = 3%). Sensitization to at least one poultry farming related allergen was 24%. Workers sensitized to chicken‐specific‐allergens were more likely to be atopic (ORunadj = 20.9, 95%CI: 4.7‐93.2) or employed as casual‐workers (ORunadj = 6.0, 95%CI: 1.1‐35.9). Work‐related chest symptoms were associated the rearing‐department (ORadj = 3.2, 95%CI: 1.2‐8.4) and exposure to high gas/dust/fumes (ORadj = 4.8, 95%CI: 2.4‐9.5). Airflow reversibility (ORadj = 10.9, 95%CI: 2.0‐60.3) was significantly associated with casual‐work status. Conclusion Allergic and non‐allergic mechanisms play a role in asthma development among poultry‐workers with casual workers demonstrating increased risk. |
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| Keywords: | allergic sensitisation occupational asthma poultry |
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