Abstract
A previous study suggested that a biologically active bacterial endotoxin was a putative agent of lung disease in a textile-producing facility. The endotoxin was isolated from the biomass growing in a chilled-water spray air humidification system. The bacterial flora of the air humidification system were isolated and taxonomically identified to the genus level. By using indirect immunofluorescence assays, a serologically reactive Cytophaga species was identified. A serologically reactive, biologically active (Limulus assay) endotoxin was purified from phenol extracts of the Cytophaga species. The endotoxin contained sugars, hexosamines, and lipids identical to those found in the humidifier biomass endotoxin. All subjects with biopsy-proven and suspected lung disease had antibodies directed toward the purified Cytophaga endotoxin. The data suggest that the Cytophaga endotoxin is the putative agent of lung disease in the textile facility.
Full text
PDF
Selected References
These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.
- Flaherty D. K., Deck F. H., Cooper J., Bishop K., Winzenburger P. A., Smith L. R., Bynum L., Witmer W. B. Bacterial endotoxin isolated from a water spray air humidification system as a putative agent of occupation-related lung disease. Infect Immun. 1984 Jan;43(1):206–212. doi: 10.1128/iai.43.1.206-212.1984. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- LEVIN J., BANG F. B. THE ROLE OF ENDOTOXIN IN THE EXTRACELLULAR COAGULATION OF LIMULUS BLOOD. Bull Johns Hopkins Hosp. 1964 Sep;115:265–274. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Reed C. E., Swanson M. C., Lopez M., Ford A. M., Major J., Witmer W. B., Valdes T. B. Measurement of IgG antibody and airborne antigen to control an industrial outbreak of hypersensitivity pneumonitis. J Occup Med. 1983 Mar;25(3):207–210. doi: 10.1097/00043764-198303000-00014. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Rylander R., Haglind P., Lundholm M., Mattsby I., Stenqvist K. Humidifier fever and endotoxin exposure. Clin Allergy. 1978 Sep;8(5):511–516. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2222.1978.tb01504.x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Weeks O. B. Problems concerning the relationships of cytophagas and flavobacteria. J Appl Bacteriol. 1969 Mar;32(1):13–18. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2672.1969.tb02182.x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]