Mushroom Compost Worker's Lung

Abstract

This study draws attention to difficulties in the diagnosis and the understanding of the mechanism of action of mushroom compost worker's lung. Descriptions are given of 4 workers in one factory who developed acute respiratory failure within a 6-month period; 13 others who were unaffected were also studied. Serological investigation appears to be largely unhelpful, and the evidence against the condition being included amongst the extrinsic allergic alveolitides is discussed. A detailed clinical and occupational history is essential for diagnosis.

Effect of Various Substrates on Growth and Yield Performance of Oyster Mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus) in Chitwan, Nepal

“…Pleurotus spp. can consume a vast variety of crop residues because it has a great ability to grow on residues (Mamiro & Mamiro, 2011) and it is a saprotroph that acts as a primary decomposer of wood, especially deciduous trees, and beech trees in particular (Phillips, 2006).…”

Mushroom worker's lung: organic dust exposure in the spawning shed

“…Several outbreaks of mushroom worker's lung have been reported in the international literature since the 1950s. Workers with high exposure to organic dust from mushroom compost, such as spawners and compost handlers, are commonly affected and hence the more specific term “mushroom compost worker's lung” is occasionally used 1 , 6 . In this form of mushroom worker's lung, M. faeni (currently known as Saccharopolyspora rectivirgula of the class Thermoactinomycetes), which is present in mushroom compost, is the most commonly implicated allergen 1 , 5 , 7 .…”

“…Workers with high exposure to organic dust from mushroom compost, such as spawners and compost handlers, are commonly affected and hence the more specific term "mushroom compost worker' s lung" is occasionally used. 1,6 In this form of mushroom worker' s lung, M. faeni (currently known as Saccharopolyspora rectivirgula of the class Thermoactinomycetes), which is present in mushroom compost, is the most commonly implicated allergen. 1,5,7 Organic dust from mushroom compost consists of a vast array of microorganisms and organic antigens; failure to demonstrate precipitins to M. faeni, as in the patients reported here, does not exclude the diagnosis of mushroom worker' s lung.…”