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 breathlessness, cough, 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 thermophilic 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:

1. Dust control – prevention/suppression of dust such as wet process, enclosed apparatus, exhaust ventilation etc. should be used
2. Personal protection – masks/respirators
3. Medical control – initial medical examination and periodical checkups of workers
4. 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.