Relationships of immunoglobulins E and G sensitization to respiratory function in dairy farmers

An impairment of respiratory function has been demonstrated in dairy farmer s. The objective of this study was to evaluate the relationship of allergy to respiratory function in dairy farmers in a longitudinal study conducted in the Doubs (France), A cohort of male dairy farmers constituted in 1990 was re-evalued in 1995. Subjects completed a medical and occupational questionnaire, and a spiromet ry test in both 1990 and 1995, in 1995 they were also subjected to immunolo gical tests, Relationships between immunological variables and respiratory function were studied by a multiple linear regression model adjusted for ag e, smoking status, respiratory symptoms, altitude and occupational exposure , Amongst the 394 subjects of the initial cohort, 330 were included in the longitudinal study and 320 had immunological tests. Log immunoglobulin (Ig) E was negatively correlated with the 1995 respirato ry function parameters (p<0.05 for forced expiratory volume in one second ( FEV1) and FEV1/vital capacity (VC), Immunoglobulin (Tg) G response to Asper gillus fumigatus detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was negatively correlated to 1995 respiratory function parameters (VC: p<0.01; FEV1: p<0.001; FEV1/VC: p<0.01). There was a positive relationship between IgG antibodies against Aspergillus fumigatus and the mean annual decline in FEV1 (p<0.01) and FEV1/VC (p<0.01). To conclude, allergy may play a role in the impairment of respiratory funct ion in dairy farmers of the Doubs and sensitization to Aspergillus fumigatu s seems to constitute an independent risk factor for the development of air flow obstruction in this occupational setting.