@article{3100900,
    title = "Prolonged occupational exposure leads to allergic airway sensitization and chronic airway and systemic inflammation in professional firefighters",
    author = "Gianniou, N. and Katsaounou, P. and Dima, E. and Giannakopoulou, C.-E. and Kardara, M. and Saltagianni, V. and Trigidou, R. and Kokkini, A. and Bakakos, P. and Markozannes, E. and Litsiou, E. and Tsakatikas, A. and Papadopoulos, C. and Roussos, C. and Koulouris, N. and Rovina, N.",
    journal = "Advances in Respiratory Medicine",
    year = "2016",
    volume = "118",
    pages = "7-14",
    publisher = "W.B. Saunders Ltd",
    doi = "10.1016/j.rmed.2016.07.006",
    keywords = "eosinophil cationic protein;  interleukin 13;  interleukin 4;  interleukin 8;  tumor necrosis factor alpha;  vasculotropin;  eosinophil cationic protein;  interleukin 8;  tumor necrosis factor;  vasculotropin A, adult;  allergic airway inflammation;  allergic rhinitis;  Article;  atopy;  bronchoscopy;  bronchus biopsy;  chest tightness;  chronic bronchitis;  controlled study;  coughing;  dyspnea;  fire fighter;  forced expiratory volume;  forced vital capacity;  histopathology;  human;  human tissue;  long term exposure;  lung function;  lung lavage;  major clinical study;  male;  occupational exposure;  prick test;  priority journal;  respiratory tract allergy;  sensitization;  serum;  skin test;  sneezing;  sputum;  wheezing;  blood;  bronchoalveolar lavage fluid;  bronchus hyperreactivity;  eosinophil;  hypersensitivity;  immunology;  inflammation;  inhalation test;  lung function test;  metabolism;  occupational exposure;  pathology;  pathophysiology;  procedures;  respiratory system;  systemic inflammatory response syndrome, Adult;  Bronchial Hyperreactivity;  Bronchial Provocation Tests;  Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid;  Eosinophil Cationic Protein;  Eosinophils;  Firefighters;  Humans;  Hypersensitivity;  Inflammation;  Interleukin-8;  Male;  Occupational Exposure;  Respiratory Function Tests;  Respiratory System;  Sputum;  Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome;  Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha;  Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A",
    abstract = "Background and objectives Little data exist on short- and long-term effects of occupational exposure on airway and systemic inflammation in professional firefighters. We aimed to characterize airway and systemic inflammation in training firefighters with a maximum occupational exposure of 1 year compared to the long-term exposure of professional firefighters. Methods A questionnaire for symptoms and exposure, pulmonary function, atopy, bronchial hyper-responsiveness, and markers of inflammation in induced sputum, serum, bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid and bronchial biopsies were assessed in a total of 92 firefighters (63 full-time professionals and 29 trainees). Results Professional firefighters showed allergic bronchial sensitization documented by the presence of atopy, and eosinophilia in induced sputum, BAL and bronchial biopsies. IL-8, ECP, VEGF, and TNF-α levels were statistically significantly higher in the sputum supernatants of professional firefighters compared to the trainees (p = 0.04, p = 0.02, p = 0.04, and p = 0.02, respectively). Serum IL-8 and TNF-α levels were also statistically significantly higher in the group of professional firefighters (p = 0.04, p = 0.03, respectively). Finally, there was a linear correlation between the duration of the occupation in Service and the degree of airway and systemic inflammation. Conclusions These results indicate a “dose-response” effect of chronic exposure to a polluted environment on bronchial and systemic inflammation in professional firefighters. © 2016 Elsevier Ltd"
}