Increased Serum KL-6/MUC1 Level, Neutrophils and Lymphocytes Sputum in Malang Splendid Bird Market Workers

Abstract

Backgrounds: People who work in the bird market have a high exposure risk of air pollution in large numbers, particulate pollutans including organic dust, loose feathers, insects or ticks, food aerosol particles, bird’s excreta (amonia) and various of gram bacteria, fungal and virus. Exposure to particles will stimulate the immune system against harmful pathogens in the form of an inflammatory response. An infection or injury will stimulate secretion of KL-6/MUC1 (Krebs von den Lungen-6 is a high molecular weight, mucin-like glycoprotein in human (MUC1)) by AEC type II and bronchial epithelial cells in response to cell damage and regeneration. 
 Methods: This was an observational analytic cross-sectional study on 35 subjects, which examined and analyzed the characteristics of workers, percentage count of neutrophils, lymphocytes in induced sputum and KL-6/MUC1 serum levels using ELISA sandwich. 
 Results: Mean KL-6/MUC1 serum levels in the bird market workers increased (1152.67+583.92 U/ml) from normal levels (105.3-401.2 U/ml). There was a significant positive correlation between the length of exposure and KL-6/MUC1 serum levels (r=0.624; P

Exploring the Association Between Air Pollutant Exposure and Krebs von den Lungen-6 (KL 6) Serum Levels in Outdoor and Indoor Workers in Banyumas District, Central Java

“…Studies in Indonesia investigating KL-6 serum levels among high-risk asymptomatic populations exposed to risk factors related to lung disease are still lacking. An epidemiological study among workers in the bird market showed an increase in average KL-6 serum levels compared to that healthy individuals from the general population (22). Previous studies on the adverse effects of air pollution in Indonesia were limited to investigating the association between air pollutant exposure and demographic and clinical characteristics, such as anthropometric measurements (23)(24).…”