Serum antibodies to avian and Aspergillus antigens were detected
by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) in forty-two
workers from a poultry abattoir and in twenty healthy blood
donors. The levels of IgG and IgA antibodies to hen and duck
serum were significantly higher in poultry workers than in blood
donors (P<0.01). In workers employed for less than 1 year the
antibody levels were lower than in those who had been employed
for a longer period of time (P<0.05). The IgA antibody level to
a high molecular weight Aspergillus antigen was higher in
poultry workers than blood donors (P<0-05), whereas the level of
other Aspergillus antibodies were similar in the two groups. The
level of IgG antibodies to hen antigen was higher in non-smokers
than in smokers (P<0-02). A correlation between the antibody
levels to hen and duck antigens and to pigeon antigen was found
(P<0.05). indicating cross-reactivity between these antibodies.
No cases of allergic alveolitis were found, and no correlation
between antibody lev