Antimicrobials and Allergic Disease: Identifying Novel Biomarkers and Mechanisms of Action

Occupational immune diseases are some of the most common illnesses that affect workers in the United States. The Healthcare and Social Assistance Sector (HCSA) has one of the highest incidence of allergic disease compared to other industrial sectors. Individuals in this sector are frequently exposed to a variety of high-level cleaners and disinfectants along with antiseptics for the purposes of sterilization of surfaces, medical and surgical instruments, and reducing the incidence of nosocomial infections. The range of specificity and effectiveness of these agents is very diverse based on the type of chemical used. Commonly used antimicrobials include: alcohol, chlorine, iodine based agents; phenols; hydrogen peroxide; and quaternary ammonium compounds (QAC). While the importance of these kinds of chemicals is understood, many of these agents are also known to directly contribute to allergic disease. Antimicrobials including disinfectants and antiseptics are unique in that they have been identified to c