Bronchitis Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Bronchitis, including details on pulmonary disorders, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, prevention.

Occupational eosinophilic bronchitis in a foundry worker exposed to isocyanate and a baker exposed to flour.

Di Stefano F, Di Giampaolo L, Verna N, Di Gioacchino M

Respiratory Medicine, Presidio Ospedaliero "G Bernabeo", C da S Liberata, 66026 Ortona (Chieti), Italia. distefa.fabio@tiscali.it

Eosinophilic bronchitis without asthma may occur as a consequence of occupational exposure. The cases of a foundry worker and a baker who developed symptoms, respectively, due to exposure to isocyanate and flour, are reported. Cough was not associated with variable airflow obstruction or with airway hyper-responsiveness and was responsive to inhaled corticosteroids. The eosinophilia detectable in their sputum was causally related to the occupational exposure in the workplace. The examination of induced sputum should be used in addition to the objective monitoring of lung function for workers who have asthma-like symptoms in an occupational setting.

Published 27 March 2007 in Thorax, 62(4): 368-70.
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