ORGANIC DUST TOXIC SYNDROME
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http://www.ruralfamilymedicine.org/clinical%20topics/odts.htm
Referencesdo Pico GA. "Respiratory Hazards of Organic Dust Exposure: Table 1" Journal of
Respiratory Disease; Vol. 15, No. 6; pg. 553; June 1994.
do Pico GA. "Presentation of organic dust-induced respiratory problems: Table 2" Journal of
Respiratory Disease; Vol. 15, No. 6; pg. 553; June 1994.
Table 1 - Respiratory hazards of organic dust exposure
Exposures Respiratory effects
Vegetable: Grains, hay, pollen, cotton, wood
Animal: Dander, hair, feathers, skin, feces [sludge].
Fungal and bacterial antigens and toxins Insect and mite antigens.
Mucous membrane irritation, bronchitis, asthma, nonasthmatic chronic airflow obstruction,
organic dust toxic syndrome, hypersensitivity pneumonitis
Table 2 - Presentation of organic dust-induced respiratory problems
Illness Typical findings
Mucous membrane irritation syndrome Nasal stuffiness, rhinorrhea, sore throat, cough, and
expectoration
Asthma/bronchitis Cough, expectoration, wheezing, chest tightness, and dyspnea, which may be
associated with blepharitis, rhinitis, and pharyngolaryngitisPulmonary function test results: airflow
obstruction and positive bronchoprovocation challenge
Organic dust toxic syndrome Fever or facial warmth, chills, shivering, malaise, fatigue, muscle
and joint aches, and headache Respiratory symptoms, such as dry cough, nasal irritation, throat
burning, mild dyspnea, chest tightness, and wheezing, may also occur
Hypersensitivity pneumonitis Fever, chills, malaise, myalgias, cough, dyspnea, basilar crepitant
rales, and polymorphonuclear leukocytosisChest film findings: bilateral, diffuse, finely nodular,
reticular or reticulonodular opacities with patchy areas or consolidation; pulmonary fibrosis
Pulmonary function tests: reduced lung volumes, low DLCO, and hypoxemia