Sera from 6 byssinotic and 6 control Danish cotton workers have been tested, using the ELISA technique, for antibodies to 3 species of Bacillus and 1 strain of Enterobacter agglomerans isolated from the air of Lancashire cotton mills. Antibodies were detected but cross-reactions occurred and further experiments need to be performed to assess the significance of the results.

Key words: Bacillus, Enterobacter agglomerans, Antibodies, Cotton mills, Bysinosis.