A new risk of occupational disease: allergic asthma and rhinoconjunctivitis in persons working with beneficial arthropods. Preliminary data

Health Hazards Associated with Arthropod Infestation of Stored Products

Insects and mites are common inhabitants and accidental invaders of food, including durable commodities, and their presence can have both direct and indirect effects on human health. The most common direct effect is contamination of food with arthropod fragments and related contaminants, which may be allergenic or even carcinogenic. The most important indirect effect is that their presence can change the storage microenvironment, making durable products suitable for the rapid development of fungi and other microorganisms. Some of these fungi can produce toxins (e.g., aflatoxins) that endanger human health. Insects may actively or passively contribute to the spread of microorganisms, increasing product contamination, and they may host bacteria that have developed antibiotic resistance, contributing to their spread in food. Several species also may host, attract, or transmit tapeworms, predators, or parasitoids that may affect health. This review synthesizes research on these topics and suggests directions for future research.

The risky business of being an entomologist: A systematic review

BACKGROUND

Adverse work-related health outcomes are a significant problem worldwide. Entomologists, including arthropod breeders, are a unique occupational group exposed to potentially harmful arthropods, pesticides, and other more generic hazards. These exposures may place them at risk of a range of adverse work-related health outcomes.

OBJECTIVES

To determine what adverse work-related health outcomes entomologists have experienced, the incidence/prevalence of these outcomes, and what occupational management strategies have been employed by entomologists, and their effectiveness.

METHODS

A systematic search of eight databases was undertaken to identify studies informing the review objectives. Data pertaining to country, year, design, work-exposure, adverse work-related health outcomes, incidence/prevalence of these outcomes, and occupational management strategies were extracted, and reported descriptively.

DISCUSSION

Results showed entomologists experienced work-related allergies, venom reactions, infections, infestations and delusional parasitosis. These related to exposure to insects, arachnids, chilopods and entognathans, and non-arthropod exposures, e.g. arthropod feed. Few studies reported the incidence/prevalence of such conditions, or work-related management strategies utilised by entomologists. There were no studies that specifically investigated the effectiveness of potential management strategies for entomologists as a population. Indeed, critical appraisal analysis indicated poor research quality in this area, which is a significant research gap.

CONCLUSIONS

Entomologists are a diverse, unique occupational group, at risk of a range of adverse work-related health outcomes. This study represents the first systematic review of their work-related health risks. Future studies investigating the prevalence of adverse work-related health outcomes for entomologists, and the effectiveness of management strategies are warranted to decrease the disease burden of this otherwise understudied group.

[Occupational rhinitis]

INTRODUCTION

Rhinitis is one of the most common occupational diseases. It is often neglected by those affected because it causes little disability. It is poorly understood by doctors who have insufficient experience of occupational diseases and their causes. However it is often the first manifestation of a respiratory disorder that may cause physical complications and socio-economic disability.

BACKGROUND

Numerous diverse agents are potential causes of rhinitis. The diagnosis of occupational rhinitis should be considered when sneezing, rhinorrhoea or nasal obstruction are associated with work. The causal agent can be identified by ta-king a careful history. When the mechanism of the disease is immunologic the suspected antigen can be confirmed by skin testing, specific IgE or nasal provocation. The respiratory disorder of which rhinitis is the first manifestation may progress to asthma if the exposure continues. The prevention of occupational rhinitis depends on the reduction of exposure to allergens and/or irritants. When it has developed removal of the causative agent is essential to prevent progression to asthma.

A new risk of occupational disease: allergic asthma and rhinoconjunctivitis in persons working with beneficial arthropods

Allergic asthma and rhinoconjunctivitis have been reported in workers who are constantly in close contact with arthropods during the course of breeding and research. We investigated a group of ten people working with beneficial arthropods in a "bio-factory." The following tests were carried out: skin prick test with allergens present in the workplace, baseline pulmonary function test, aspecific bronchial provocation test with ultrasonically nebulized distilled water, and pulmonary function test after workplace exposure in two subjects. The results demonstrated a good correlation between skin prick test, previous RAST positive reactions, clinical symptoms, and exposure. Pulmonary function test after workplace exposure proved positive in one asthmatic subject and in one subject with rhinoconjunctivitis. It is concluded that the evidence supports the occupational nature of these allergic diseases and that there is a need for careful surveillance and environmental monitoring within the workplace.