Bagassosis II

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Abstract
Thirty-four patients with bagassosis and 25 non-affected bagasse industry workers were examined by means of a standard history questionnaire. Intradermal testing was done with bagasse extracts and common inhalant allergens. Subjects were also bled for determination of precipitins against moldy bagasse extracts and total eosinophil counts. Results indicate no predilection for atopic individuals or heavy smokers to develop bagassosis. Approximately one third of both bagassosis patients and unaffected sugar cane processing industry workers demonstrated significant wheal and erythema skin reactivity to moldy bagasse extracts. The incidence of Arthus-like skin reactivity was slightly less and that of delayed hypersensitivity considerably less in both groups. There was a relationship between the development of wheal and erythema skin reactivity to bagasse extracts and atopic status of any single individual (either control bagasse industry worker or bagassosis patient). A similar relationship was noted between eosinophilia and atopic status of any individual regardless of group. Between 18 and 62% of patients with clinical bagassosis demonstrated precipitins against 7 moldy bagasse extracts, whereas the number of unaffected bagasse industry workers demonstrating such precipitins was considerably smaller. Immediate anaphylactic type hypersensitivity probably does not play a role in the pathogenesis of bagassosis, and that neither intradermal testing with moldy bagasse extracts nor demonstration of precipitins against these extracts are of diagnostic significance.