IL-18 LEVELS IN NASAL LAVAGE AFTER INHALATORY CHALLENGE TEST WITH FLOUR IN BAKERS DIAGNOSED WITH OCCUPATIONAL ASTHMA
Journal Title: International Journal of Occupational Medicine and Environmental Health - Year 2008, Vol 21, Issue 2
Abstract
[b]Objectives: [/b]The authors discuss the outcomes of a study on IL-18 concentration in nasal washings after the inhalatory challenge test with fl our allergens (ICHT-F) in bakers with fl our-induced occupational airway allergy (OAA) [b]Methods:[/b] We measured IL-18 concentration using ELISA kit and assessed morphological changes in nasal lavage fl uid (NLF) before, and 4 h and 24 h after ICHT-F in three groups of subjects: Group A — 9 patients with diagnosed OAA (occupational asthma and rhinitis), Group B — 10 patients with atopic asthma and rhinitis, and Group C — 9 healthy volunteers. [b]Results:[/b] In Group A, signifi cant differences in the basophil proportion in NLF were noted only 24 h after ICHT-F. Both the basophil proportion and total eosinophil count were higher in Group A than in Group C at this time-point. Group A also showed a statistically signifi cant increase in IL-18 levels 4 h after the challenge. A signifi cant relationship was noted between the proportion of basophils 4 h after ICHT-F and IL-18 level at 24 h after the test. [b]Conclusions:[/b] This is the fi rst study demonstrating an increased expression of IL-18 in nasal washings of subjects diagnosed with OAA to fl our allergens. The observed higher concentrations of IL-18 in nasal washings after ICHT as well as the increase in the proportion of basophils provide evidence for the important role of IL-18 in persistent allergic infl ammation.
Authors and Affiliations
ANNA KRAKOWIAK, CEZARY PAŁCZYŃSKI, JOLANTA WALUSIAK, PATRYCJA KRAWCZYK, MARTA WISZNIEWSKA, WOJCIECH DUDEK, TOMASZ WITTCZAK
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