THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SYMPTOMS AND IGG AND IGE ANTIBODIES IN AN OFFICE ENVIRONMENT

Airborne fungi have been postulated as a cause of symptoms among offic e workers, Using the MAST chemiluminescent system, this study evaluate d 36 IgG and 36 IgE antibody levels in 47 office workers from an area with elevated airborne fungal concentrations and 44 office workers fro m an otherwise similar area with lower airborne fungal exposure, No di fference was found in IgG antibody to fungi between the lower and high er exposure areas, but high IgG antibody to one or more of the fungi s tudied was detected in 67% of all the workers tested. IgE antibody to one or more antigens was detected in 40% of the participants, Workers who reported atopic symptoms (sneezing, runny nose, and itchy eyes) or ''sick building'' symptoms (any three of the following temporally rel ated to work: headache, fatigue, stuffy nose, irritated eyes, or sore throat) were more likely to have one positive IgE antibody test, Type I hypersensitivity to aeroallergens besides fungi may play a role in s ome symptoms reported by some participants in this office building. (C ) 1998 Academic Press.