LAUSR

Ceramic workers are exposed to high levels of respirable dust that contains high microbial levels such as Aspergillus. It is recommended to consider fungal exposure in ceramic industry as a hazardous problem. This work aimed to study the impact of occupational exposure to high environmental concentrations of Aspergillus on the immune parameters related to the respiratory system in ceramic workers. Serum levels of total IgE, intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), alpha 1-antitrypsin (α1AT), and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) were assessed in 40 ceramic workers and 56 matched controls. Statistical analysis revealed that the levels of total IgE and ICAM-1 were higher in both non-smoker and smoker ceramic workers compared to their controls. While TNF-α was significantly lower in non-smoker ceramic workers compared to non-smoker controls. In addition, ceramic workers with sputum negative PCR for Aspergillus had lower TNF-α than those with positive PCR. α1AT levels did not differ significantly among the examined groups. These changes were not correlated to the duration of exposure. In conclusion, occupational exposure to Aspergillus may cause different effects on immunological parameters related to respiratory problems in ceramic workers.