Bagassosis

Bagassosis, an interstitial lung disease, is a type of hypersensitivity pneumonitis attributed to exposure to moldy molasses[1] or bagasse dust.[2][3]

Bagassosis
SpecialtyPulmonology Edit this on Wikidata

Signs and symptoms

Some symptoms and signs of bagassosis include breathlessness, cough, haemoptysis, and slight fever. Acute diffuse bronchiolitis may also occur. An X-ray may show mottling of lungs or a shadow.

Cause

Bagassosis has been shown to be due to a thermophilic actinomycete for which the name Thermoactinomycetes sacchari was suggested.

Prevention

The following are precautionary measures that can be taken to avoid the spread of bagassosis:

  1. Dust control – prevention/suppression of dust such as wet process, enclosed apparatus, exhaust ventilation etc. should be used
  2. Personal protection – masks/respirators
  3. Medical control – initial medical examination and periodical checkups of workers
  4. Bagasse control – keep moisture content above 20% and spray bagasse with 2% propionic acid[4]

History

Bagassosis was first reported in India by Ganguly and Pal in 1955, in a cardboard manufacturing plant near Kolkata. India has a large cane sugar industry. The sugarcane fibre which, until recently, went to waste, is now utilised in the manufacture of cardboard, paper and rayon.

References
  1. Hur, T; Cheng KC; Yang GY (October 1994). "Hypersensitivity pneumonitis: bagassosis". Gaoxiong Yi Xue Ke Xue Za Zhi. 10 (10): 558–564. PMID 7807612.
  2. Ueda A, Aoyama K, Ueda T, et al. (July 1992). "Recent trends in bagassosis in Japan". Br J Ind Med. 49 (7): 499–506. doi:10.1136/oem.49.7.499. PMC 1039272. PMID 1637710.
  3. Madu, Alpha; Sharman, Tariq (2021). "Bagassosis". StatPearls. StatPearls Publishing. PMID 32119331. Retrieved 15 July 2021.
  4. Park's textbook of preventive & social medicine 21st edition page-747
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