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Airway Responsiveness and Chest Symptoms after Inhalation of Endotoxin or (1 3)-ß-D-Glucan

Department of Environmental Medicine, University of Gothenburg, Sweden

To evaluate the role of airborne endotoxin and (1 3)-ß-D-glucan in the pro duction of symptoms observed in indoor air environments, subjects were exposed for 4 h to aerosols of saline, Escherichia coli endotoxin or (1 3)- ß-D-glucan in saline or a (1 3)-ß-D-glucan dust particle aerosol, at concentra tions similar to those sometimes found in indoor air. Exposure effects were evaluated using spirometry, methacholine challenge for airway responsiveness and questionnaires for symptoms. People with a history of reactivity to inhaled agents (atopics) showed increased airway responsiveness after endo toxin exposure. (1 3-ß-D-Glucan exposure caused an increase in the severity of symptoms of nose and throat irritation, while after glucan exposure, a rela tionship was observed between the intensity of subjective throat irritation and increase in airway responsiveness. The results suggest that (1 3)-ß-D-glucan and/or moulds could be important agents for the symptoms observed.

Key Words: Airways inflammation • Endotoxin • (1 3)-ß-D-Glucan • Indoor air

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