Indirect assessment of 4,4′-diphenylmethane diisocyanate (MDI) exposure by evaluation of specific humoral immune responses to MDI conjugated to human serum albumin
✍ Scribed by Boris D. Lushniak; Christopher M. Reh; David I. Bernstein; Joan S. Gallagher
- Publisher
- John Wiley and Sons
- Year
- 1998
- Tongue
- English
- Weight
- 71 KB
- Volume
- 33
- Category
- Article
- ISSN
- 0271-3586
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✦ Synopsis
Background: A study of occupational asthma among workers exposed to 4,4Ј-Diphenylmethane Diisocyanate (MDI).
Objective: To demonstrate if serum concentrations of MDI-specific IgG or IgE are sensitive biological markers of disease or of MDI exposure.
Methods: The study group consisted of nine MDI-exposed workers and nine nonexposed workers. Air sampling for MDI and polymethylene polyphenyl isocyanate, occupational and medical histories, respiratory physical exams, pre-and postshift spirometry, and selfadministered peak expiratory flow rates were performed. Serum specific IgE and IgG antibodies to an MDI-human serum albumin (HSA) conjugate were assayed by the radioallergosorbent test and the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, respectively, and compared to nine nonexposed laboratory controls.
Results: No definitive cases of occupational asthma were documented. The mean level of MDI-specific IgG was significantly greater among exposed workers compared to nonexposed workers and laboratory controls ( p ϭ 0.04). Mean levels of TDI and HDI-specific IgG were also increased.
Conclusion: This study demonstrates that serum concentrations of MDI-specific IgG appear to be a moderately sensitive biological marker of MDI exposure, but not an indicator of occupational asthma. Workers with IgG antibodies specific for one diisocyanate-HSA conjugate exhibit cross-reactivity to antigens prepared with other diisocyanates. Am.