Organic dust inhalation fever

Category

Acute Poisoning

Acute/Chronic

Acute-Moderate (not life-threatening)

Synonyms

Organic dust toxic syndrome; ODTS

Comments

ODTS occurs in workers after heavy inhalation of organic dusts (sewage sludge, animal confinement dust, and moldy hay, silage, compost, or wood chips). The bioaerosols that cause ODTS are contaminated with fungi, bacteria, and/or endotoxins. [LaDou, p. 376-7] Flu-like symptoms begin 4-8 hours after exposure with cough preceded by eye and nasal irritation. Patients may have leukocytosis, but chest x-rays are normal. All symptoms resolve within 2-3 days. There is no specific treatment. [Rom, p. 410-11] Two workers at a spa center developed ODTS after performing seaweed massages. [PMID 19221678] Also see "Mill fever," "Grain fever," and "Humidifier fever."

Latency/Incubation

4 to 8 hours

Diagnostic

History

ICD-9 Code

495.9

ICD-10 Code

J66.8

IDdx Link

Symptoms/Findings

Symptoms/Findings associated with this disease:

• chest tightness
• cough
• fever
• headache
• leukocytosis
• myalgia
• rhinitis

Job Tasks

High risk job tasks associated with this disease:

• Inhale bioaerosols of moldy compost
• Inhale bioaerosols of moldy hay, silage, straw, or grain
• Inhale dust in livestock confinement building
• Inhale moldy wood dust

Agents

Hazardous agents that cause the occupational disease:

• Endotoxins