Λεξικό .. Byssinosis

Condition characterized by asthma which occurs in cotton workers. Asthma occurs much more prominently during the early part of the week in the early stages of the disease. As the disease progresses to a chronic form, the decreased ventilatory capacity found after the initial Monday exposure does not improve during the rest of the week. 

An immune response to cotton dust components has been proposed as a possible mechanism of byssinosis. Preliminary crossed radioimmunoelectrophoretic studies demonstrated that some of these antigens are allergenic in man, suggesting that an IgE-mediated hypersensitivity against cotton dust, or a fungal component of the dust, may be important in byssinosis pathogenesis. Byssinosis can be effectively prevented by occupational hygiene.

References

O'Neil, C.E., et al: Studies on the antigenic composition of aqueous cotton dust extracts.  Int. Arch. Allergy appl. Immunol. (1983) 72, p. 294.