Partial protection by respirators on airways responses following exposure in a swine house

Background Exposure to swine dust leads to an intense airway inflammation and increased bronchial responsiveness. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the effect of a respiratory protection device during exposure in a swine house. Methods Twenty-two subjects, 11 with a respirator, were exposed. Symptoms, body temperature, nasal lavage, and a bronchial metacholine challenge were performed before and 7 hr after exposure. For exposure assessment a nasal sampler was evaluated. Results The subjects with a respirator showed an attenuated inflammatory nasal response. An increase in bronchial responsiveness was observed in both groups, significantly greater in the unprotected group. The use of respirators reduced endotoxin exposure by more than 90% (assessed by nasal samplers). Conclusion The use of a respirator attenuated the inflammatory response compared with an unprotected group. The minor effect on bronchial responsiveness suggests that gases and/or ultrafine particles may also be important factors. (C) 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc.