Ten individuals developed an @entity565 -like illness after a single exposure to high levels of an irritating vapor, fume, or smoke. In most instances, the high level exposure was the result of an accident occurring in the workplace or a situation where there was poor ventilation and limited air exchange in the area. In all cases, symptoms developed within a few hours and often minutes after exposure. We have designated the illness as @entity409 ( @entity409 ) because a consistent physiologic accompaniment was airways hyperreactivity. When tested, all subjects showed positive @entity2710 challenge tests. No documented preexisting @entity1576 was identified nor did subjects relate past @entity1576 . In two subjects, atopy was documented, but in all others, no evidence of @entity566 was identified. In the majority of the cases, there was persistence of respiratory symptoms and continuation of airways hyperreactivity for more than one year and often several years after the incident. The incriminated etiologic agent varied, but all shared a common characteristic of being irritant in nature. In two cases, bronchial biopsy specimens were available, and an airways inflammatory response was noted. This investigation suggests acute high level, uncontrolled irritant exposures may cause an @entity565 in some individuals which is different from typical @entity7446 . It can lead to long-term sequelae and @entity1030 . Nonimmunologic mechanisms seem operative in the pathogenesis of this syndrome.

Reactive @entity409 ( XXXX ). @entity565 after high level irritant exposures.

@entity565 :: ('MESH:D001249', 'Disease') :: ['asthma-like syndrome', 'asthma'] @entity566 :: ('MESH:D006967', 'Disease') :: ['allergy'] @entity409 :: ('MESH:D008107', 'Disease') :: ['RADS', 'reactive airway dysfunction syndrome'] @entity1576 :: ('MESH:D012131', 'Disease') :: ['respiratory complaints', 'respiratory illness'] @entity7446 :: ('MESH:D059366', 'Disease') :: ['occupational asthma'] @entity1030 :: ('MESH:D029424', 'Disease') :: ['chronic airways disease'] @entity2710 :: ('MESH:D016210', 'Chemical') :: ['methacholine']
@entity409 :: (MESH:D008107,Disease) :: ['RADS']
