Recent developments in occupational asthma research and clinical practice are the focus of this publication. It discusses the contribution of occupational exposures to chemical and biological agents to the burden of asthma in adults, powerful approaches like the use of apprentices studies, which include young individuals, naïve with regard to occupational exposures, and diagnostic criteria for work related and work aggravated asthma. Specific emphasis is given to exposure response relationships for allergen exposure, large gene-environment studies and whole genome screening approaches. Management, prevention and surveillance are covered as well. Diagnostic rules are introduced to rationalize the diagnostic workup and improve the cost benefit of surveillance schemes. Issues in the design of population studies are discussed to assist the readers in designing and conducting their own study. This comprehensive volume presents new developments changing the occupational asthma field in the coming years.

Occupational factors are responsible for a large percentage of cases of asthma in adults of working age. Any irritant generated at high concentrations can cause occupational asthma, and early diagnosis is critical because cure is still possible at this stage. This latest edition of Asthma in the Workplace reflects the rapid pace of discovery and research in workplace asthma that has taken place in recent years. This Fourth Edition retains the international flavor of prior editions, with contributions from editors and contributors from around the world. Several chapters commence with clinical histories and workplace scenarios relevant to the focus of the chapter, making it particularly germane for primary care providers to develop skills in early recognition of the disease. Topics discussed include: Definitions, historical background, epidemiology, genetics, pathophysiology, and animal models Guidelines for assessing the worker and the workplace, and proposed guidelines for management, including compensation aspects Medicolegal aspects, prevention, and surveillance Detailed information about specific agents, including a variety of high- and low-molecular weight agents Other types of work-related asthma conditions, such as irritant-induced asthma, eosinophilic bronchitis, and occupational rhinitis This new edition has been significantly restructured and places a greater emphasis on the clinical aspects of management and treatment. This heightened focus on practical considerations makes it a truly comprehensive, hands-on resource for practitioners and researchers in this fast-moving field.

This issue of Immunology and Allergy Clinics of North America brings the clinician up to date on essential topics in occupational asthma. Articles cover definition; classification; epidemiology; old and new causes; pathogenesis and disease mechanisms; clinical assessment including differential diagnosis; and management of work-related asthma and related conditions. Other subject matter includes occupational rhinitis; irritant-induced asthma and reactive airways dysfunction; hypersensitivity pneumonitis and related conditions; and evaluation of impairment and disability.

Key Features Comprehensive coverage of all aspects of work-related asthma, including historical aspects, epidemiology and risk factors, mechanisms and genetics, other types of work-related asthma conditions and variants, hypersensitivity pneumonitis, occupational urticaria and dermatitis Assessment of the worker and workplace along with management of the worker, prevention and medicolegal aspects Of interest not only to pulmonologists, but also for industrial hygienists, researchers, lawyers and other health professionals in the field of work-related conditions Detailed information about specific agents, including a variety of high- and low-molecular weight agents

Occupational Asthma is a comprehensive text which provides an overview of the agents shown to have a causative role in the condition.

Fully updated to include crucial advances in the subject since publication of the First Edition, the Second Edition of this comprehensive volume reviews all aspects of occupational asthma, including disease mechanisms, clinical diagnosis and treatment, and categories of causative agents. Includes new and expanded material on hypersensitivity pneumonitis and organic dust toxic syndromes sick building syndrome occupational rhinitis and urticaria, skin problems, and genetics of occupational asthma animal, enzyme, and flour allergies latex allergy irritant-induced asthma (RADS) Featuring contributions from over 45 international authorities in the field-nearly 20 more than the First Edition-Asthma in the Workplace, Second Edition evaluates medicolegal and compensation issues discusses inhalation challenge testing addresses the social outcomes of workers disabled by asthma explores environmental exposure to causative chemicals and protein allergens and more! With numerous references, tables, drawings, photographs, and micrographs, Asthma in the Workplace, Second Edition will be welcomed by clinical immunologists and allergists, pulmonologists, occupational health and thoracic physicians, industrial hygienists, internists, toxicologists, immunotoxicologists, epidemiologists, aerosol scientists, lawyers involved with compensation issues, and graduate and medical school students in these disciplines.

This book published in two volumes. Both volume divided in twenty three sections, all sections and chapters are most important. The Textbook of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine also offers a unique exposure to the problems in many parts of the world. Tuberculosis, the “number one” treatable condition has been extensively covered; and special topics such as multi-drug resistance, directly observed therapy, TB prevention, nonpharmacologic approaches and extapulmonary tuberculosis are particularly relevant. Many countries are facing a growing burden of noncommunicable respiratory diseases. They have become the second leading cause of death after injuries, and their impact on indirect costs such as loss of work and home productivity is enormous. These problems are addressed and measures of prevention such as smoking cessation are included. Other special challenges including topics such as indoor and outdoor air pollution, climate change, poisoning with pesticides, snakebite toxicity, pulmonary manifestations of tropical infections and industrial accidents such as the tragedy seen in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, with methyl isocyanate, have been well covered. However, as globalization flattens the playing field, and countries leap to industrialization, cultural beliefs, natural resources, climate and geography have slowed the pace of development in many parts of the world. Poverty leads to malnutrition, homelessness, lack of education, and poor access to health care. Overcrowded cities and rural underdevelopment are other challenges that impact health in the various parts of the world. Moreover, epidemics of HIV, drug abuse and smoking addiction take a greater toll on the population. Yes, the world is flat, but the terrain is filled with mountains and valleys and local problems demand local solutions. And these local problems need to be explored and presented with a scholarly perspective. The Textbook of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine has successfully incorporated these sociodemographic factors into the subject matter. The text is well-written and the chapters are carefully referenced with subjects found in all traditional pulmonary and critical care textbooks, e.g. airway diseases, interstitial lung disease, pleural disease, pulmonary neoplasia, pulmonary infection, sleep and critical care. There are several nontraditional sections as well that are practical and especially helpful to the practicing physician. These include a section on the symptom approach to lung disease, an overview of the pharmacologic agents used to treat lung disease, and a comprehensive review of methods in lung diagnosis from the simple history and physical examination to the latest complex tools of interventional pulmonology. The textbook is especially unique because of the abundance of illustrations, flow charts and tables. There are many radiographic and pathologic reproductions that are especially helpful.

Book includes the basic principles of Pulmonology as well as the recent advances in allied clinical sciences relevant to pulmonology. Includes valuable inputs on tuberculosis, other pulmonary infections, environmental and occupational medicine, sleep disorders and general systemic diseases affecting the respiratory system. Although, critical care is relevant for most of the medical and surgical specialties, the pulmonologist have a more vested interest than other specialists. Assisted respiration which forms the core of most critical care lies in the primary domain of pulmonologists.

The Second Edition of Asthma and COPD: Basic Mechanisms and Clinical Management continues to provide a unique and authoritative comparison of asthma and COPD. Written and edited by the world's leading experts, it continues to be a comprehensive review of the most recent understanding of the basic mechanisms of both conditions, specifically comparing their etiology, pathogenesis, and treatments. Each chapter considers Asthma and COPD in side-by-side contrast and comparison - not in isolation - in the context of mechanism, triggers, assessments, therapies, and clinical management Presents the latest and most comprehensive understandings of the mechanisms of inflammation in both Asthma and COPD Most extensive reference to primary literature on both Asthma and COPD in one source. Easy-to-read summaries of the latest advances alongside clear illustrations