A new application for the human whole blood test: development of an assay to assess the health risk of air-borne microbial contaminations

The pathogenic properties of environmental microorganisms as well as pyroge ns as fragments of those bacteria (especially endotoxins) for humans is inc reasingly recognised. Various clinical syndromes are described after contac t with airborne microbial contaminants via the respiratory tract: Stick-bui lding-syndrome, humidifier lung (a form of hypersensitive pneumonitis), "Mo nday sickness" etc. Air-conditioning and ventilation systems intensify this problem as well as storage of compost within the household which represents a considerable sou rce of airborne pollutants. In 1995 a new method for the detection of pyrogenic (fever-inducing) hazard ous substances was described by Hartung and Wendel. This whole blood assay utilises the natural reaction of the immune system in order to detect a bro ad spectrum of pyrogens very sensitively in the relevant species. Injectabl e drugs are the main area of application in which this innovative test has already proven effective and is currently validated for inclusion into Euro pean Pharmacopoeia. In co-operation with the FU Berlin we could demonstrate in ventilation syst ems in animal stables that the whole blood pyrogen test can also detect air borne environmental microorganisms very sensitively. The filtration techniq ue for collection of these germs is an established method for air-condition ing and ventilation systems. In co-operation with the FU Berlin (Institut f ur Tier-und Umwelthygiene) and the filter producer Sartorius this method is currently developed for the detection of airborne contaminations.