Bagassosis
| Bagassosis | |
|---|---|
| Specialty | Pulmonology  |
Bagassosis, an interstitial lung disease, is a type of hypersensitivity pneumonitis attributed to exposure to moldy molasses[1] or bagasse dust.[2][3]
Signs and symptoms
Some symptoms and signs of bagassosis include
haemoptysis
, and slight fever. Acute diffuse bronchiolitis may also occur. An X-ray may show mottling of lungs or a shadow.
Cause
Bagassosis has been shown to be due to a
actinomycete
for which the name Thermoactinomycetes sacchari was suggested.
Prevention
The following are precautionary measures that can be taken to avoid the spread of bagassosis:
- Dust control – prevention/suppression of dust such as wet process, enclosed apparatus, exhaust ventilation etc. should be used
- Personal protection – masks/respirators
- Medical control – initial medical examination and periodical checkups of workers
- Bagasse control – keep moisture content above 20% and spray bagasse with 2% propionic acid[4]
History
Bagassosis was first reported in India by Ganguly and Pal in 1955, in a cardboard manufacturing plant near Kolkata. India has a large cane sugar industry. The sugarcane fibre which, until recently, went to waste, is now utilised in the manufacture of cardboard, paper and rayon.