Effect of cigarette smoking on the antibody response to inhaled antigens and the prevalence of extrinsic allergic alveolitis among pigeon breeders

Abstract

Summary There was a reduced prevalence of symptoms of Extrinsic Allergic Alveolitis (EAA) among the cigarette smokers in a survey of 102 volunteer pigeon breeders. These smokers had a significantly lower antibody response against the inhaled antigens associated with the disease; only one of twenty‐three smokers (4.3%), but thirty‐nine of sixty‐five non‐smokers (55.4%) had elevated serum IgG antibody levels, despite similar degrees of avian exposure in each group. The appearance of antibody in six of fourteen ex‐smokers (42.9%) suggested that the apparent inhibitory effect of smoking on the antibody response was reversible. The smoking group had lower total serum IgG and IgA, higher serum IgD, and their total IgM and IgE levels were similar to the non‐smokers.

Serum Antibodies to <i>Pseudomonas pseudoalcaligenes</i> in Metal Workers Exposed to Infected Metal-Working Fluids

“…Also in individuals exposed to contaminated humidi fier water or in pigeon breeders, the smokers have lower antibody levels to the antigen in the humidifier water or to the antigens associated with pigeon breeder's disease compared to non-smokers [Ander sen et al, 1982;Andersen and Christensen, 1983]. In pigeon breeders a reduced prevalence of symptoms of extrinsic allergic alveolitis has been observed among the smokers [McSharry et al, 1985], indicat ing that smoking affords some protection against al lergic reactions caused by inhaled antigens [Warren, 1977].…”

Smoking and Periodontal Disease

“…This may eventually lead to a reduction in the humoral immune response to invading organisms. Smoking has been shown to reduce the concentration of serum IgG generally (Ferson et al, 1979;Gulsvik and Fagerhol, 1979;Anderson et al, 1982;Hersey et al, 1983;Robertson et al, 1984;McSharry et al, 1985). Interestingly, seroconversion following hepatitis B vaccine occurs much more slowly in smokers than in non-smokers, and the frequency of subjects undergoing an immune response is lower for smokers (Struve et al, 1992;Roome et al, 1993).…”

Effects of water-soluble cigarette smoke extracts upon the release of ?-hexosaminidase from RBL-2H3 basophilic leukaemia cells in response to substance P, compound 48/80, concanavalin A and antigen stimulation

“…The findings, however, may have some bearing upon the observation that the incidence of an extrinsic allergic alveolitis seen in pigeon breeders is lower in smokers than in non-smokers. In this disorder, smokers have been shown to produce lower levels of IgG in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid in response to inhaled pigeon antigens [29]. A reduced sensitivity of the mast cells to antigen stimulation as a result of exposure to cigarette smoke would also contribute to a reduced allergic response.…”