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Exposure to organic dusts might cause an acute reaction with influenza like symptoms (toxic pneumonitis). Although it is well known that endotoxin, which is often present in organic dusts, may cause this reaction, there is no information about fungal cell wall agents as causative agents. The capacity of different fungal cell wall agents to induce an acute inflammation was evaluated in animal inhalation experiments. Guinea pigs were exposed to an aerosol of endotoxin, molds, and different fungal cell wall agents (FCWA) in a continuous flow exposure chamber, and the number of free lung cells was determined 24 h thereafter. Endotoxin caused a dose-dependent increase in the number of neutrophils and macrophages. None of the other agents tested caused a neutrophil response. The results suggest that toxic pneumonitis in environments with organic dusts is caused by the presence of inhaled endotoxin. Although no effect from FCWA was found, it is well known that this inhalation under chronic conditions will cause lung disease, particularly granulomatous pneumonitis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To test the hypothesis that airborne microbial cell wall components could induce an inflammatory response in the lungs, measurements were made of the amounts of bacterial endotoxin and (1→3)-β-D-glucan in laboratory animal bedding materials. Groups of rats were exposed by inhalation to airborne endotoxin, (1→3)-β-D-glucan or a combination of the two for 5 weeks. The results demonstrated that measurable amounts of endotoxin and (1→3)-β-D-glucan could be detected in the different bedding materials. In contrast to animals at delivery, those kept on bedding for 5 weeks showed moderate inflammatory reactions in the lung. These were most pronounced among animals exposed to endotoxin and (1→3)-β-D-glucan. The results suggest that further studies need to be undertaken to elucidate the role of microbial cell wall products in the development of inflammatory lung responses among research animals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]