A Cluster of Acinetobacter Pneumonia in Foundry Workers

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
In a 3 mo. period, 3 men who had worked for 5-19 yr as welders or grinders of steel castings in a foundry acquired pneumonia caused by A. calcoaceticus var. anitratus serotype 7 J. Two of the men died: postmortem examination showed mixed-dust pneumoconiosis with Fe particles in the lungs. A. calcoaceticus var. anitratus serotype 7J was isolated from the air in the foundry but the source was not found. The prevalence of antibody titers of 64 or greater to the 7J strain was significantly higher among foundry workers (15%) than among community controls (2%) (P < 0.01). Sampling showed that the concentrations of total and metallic particles (especially Fe) and of free silica in air inhaled by welders and grinders at the foundry frequently exceeded acceptable levels. Thus, chronic exposure to such particles may increase susceptibility to infection by this organism, which rarely affects healthy people.

This publication has 17 references indexed in Scilit: