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Journal of the National Medical... May 1980
Topics: Aged; Berylliosis; Biopsy; Humans; Lung; Male; Occupational Diseases; Radiography
PubMed: 7381961
DOI: No ID Found -
The European Respiratory Journal Jun 2016
Topics: Berylliosis; Diagnosis, Differential; Humans; Sarcoidosis
PubMed: 27246078
DOI: 10.1183/13993003.00805-2016 -
Jornal Brasileiro de Pneumologia :... 2006The most prevalent pneumoconioses are silicosis, asbestosis and coal worker's pneumoconiosis. Other pneumoconioses that have distinct clinical, functional and structural... (Review)
Review
The most prevalent pneumoconioses are silicosis, asbestosis and coal worker's pneumoconiosis. Other pneumoconioses that have distinct clinical, functional and structural repercussions are caused by inhalation of metal powder in fumes from metals or organic salts. The distinction in terms of the chemical form of the inhaled compound is related to the tissue reaction and to the prognosis. Simple pneumoconiosis, siderosis, berylliosis and phosphate rock-related pneumoconiosis, as well as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease caused by exposure to heavy metals, are succinctly discussed. As an instrument of etiologic investigation of these pneumoconioses, the taking of occupational histories is essential.
Topics: Dust; Humans; Occupational Exposure; Pneumoconiosis; Pneumonia; Pulmonary Fibrosis
PubMed: 17273600
DOI: 10.1590/s1806-37132006000800010 -
Respiratory Medicine Oct 2021Background Previous gene expression studies have identified genes IFNγ, TNFα, RNase 3, CXCL9, and CD55 as potential biomarkers for sarcoidosis and/or chronic beryllium...
Background Previous gene expression studies have identified genes IFNγ, TNFα, RNase 3, CXCL9, and CD55 as potential biomarkers for sarcoidosis and/or chronic beryllium disease (CBD). We hypothesized that differential expression of these genes could function as diagnostic biomarkers for sarcoidosis and CBD, and prognostic biomarkers for sarcoidosis. Study Design/Methods We performed RT-qPCR on whole blood samples from CBD (n = 132), beryllium sensitized (BeS) (n = 109), and sarcoidosis (n = 99) cases and non-diseased controls (n = 97) to determine differential expression of target genes. We then performed logistic regression modeling and generated ROC curves to determine which genes could most accurately differentiate: 1) CBD versus sarcoidosis 2) CBD versus BeS 3) sarcoidosis versus controls 4) non-progressive versus progressive sarcoidosis. Results CD55 and TNFα were significantly upregulated, while CXCL9 was significantly downregulated in CBD compared to sarcoidosis (p < 0.05). The ROC curve from the logistic regression model demonstrated high discriminatory ability of the combination of CD55, TNFα, and CXCL9 to distinguish between CBD and sarcoidosis with an AUC of 0.98. CD55 and TNFα were significantly downregulated in sarcoidosis compared to controls (p < 0.05). The ROC curve from the model showed a reasonable discriminatory ability of CD55 and TNFα to distinguish between sarcoidosis and controls with an AUC of 0.86. There was no combination of genes that could accurately differentiate between CBD and BeS or sarcoidosis phenotypes. Interpretation CD55, TNFα and CXCL9 expression levels can accurately differentiate between CBD and sarcoidosis, while CD55 and TNFα expression levels can accurately differentiate sarcoidosis and controls.
Topics: Adult; Aged; Berylliosis; Biomarkers; CD55 Antigens; Chemokine CXCL9; Chronic Disease; Diagnosis, Differential; Eosinophil Cationic Protein; Female; Gene Expression; Gene Expression Regulation; Genetic Markers; Humans; Interferon-gamma; Male; Middle Aged; Sarcoidosis, Pulmonary; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
PubMed: 34399367
DOI: 10.1016/j.rmed.2021.106390 -
Occupational and Environmental Medicine Jun 2008Because of their high prevalence in the general population, genetic variants that determine susceptibility to environmental exposures may contribute greatly to the... (Review)
Review
Because of their high prevalence in the general population, genetic variants that determine susceptibility to environmental exposures may contribute greatly to the development of occupational diseases in the setting of specific exposures occurring in the workplace. Studies investigating genetic susceptibilities in the workplace may: (1) provide mechanistic insight into the aetiology of disease, in particular the determination of environmentally responsive genes; (2) identify susceptible subpopulations with respect to exposure; and (3) provide valuable input in setting occupational exposure limits by taking genetic susceptibility into account. Polymorphisms in the NAT2 and the HLA-DPB1(G)(lu69) genes provide classic examples of how genetic susceptibility markers have a clear role in identifying disease risk in bladder cancer and chronic beryllium disease, respectively. For diseases with more complex and multifactorial aetiology such as occupational asthma and chronic airways disease, susceptibility studies for selected genetic polymorphisms provide additional insight into the biological mechanisms of disease. Even when polymorphisms for genetic susceptibility have a clear role in identifying disease risk, the value of wide scale genetic screening in occupational settings remains limited due to primarily ethical and social concerns. Thus, large scale genetic screening in the workplace is not currently recommended.
Topics: Berylliosis; Genetic Predisposition to Disease; Genetic Testing; Humans; Neoplasms; Occupational Diseases; Occupational Exposure; Respiration Disorders; Urinary Bladder Neoplasms
PubMed: 18487431
DOI: 10.1136/oem.2007.033977 -
Environmental Health Perspectives Oct 1996The blood beryllium lymphocyte proliferation test (BeLPT) is an in vitro measure of the beryllium antigen-specific cell-mediated immune response. This response to... (Review)
Review
The blood beryllium lymphocyte proliferation test (BeLPT) is an in vitro measure of the beryllium antigen-specific cell-mediated immune response. This response to beryllium is now understood to play a central role in the immunopathogenesis of chronic beryllium disease (CBD). Although there remain some unresolved methodologic issues with testing, the blood BeLPT has already undergone sufficient development and field assessment to lead to a number of important conclusions: a) The BeLPT identifies beryllium sensitization and CBD earlier and better than any other clinical test presently available. b) The CBD cases identified with the blood test are clinically significant. c) A subset of the people identified by the BeLPT who do not yet have clinical disease will progress and require treatment with corticosteroids for impairing illness. d) The BeLPT can be used to improve clinical diagnostic accuracy and to correct mistaken diagnoses. e) The blood test can be used in screening large numbers of exposed workers because it is sensitive and specific and has high positive and negative predictive value for CBD. f) In every workforce studied to date, the BeLPT has identified beryllium sensitization and CBD that had been missed by conventional screening efforts. g) Worker populations that have been characterized using the BeLPT can help to elucidate the role of exposure genetics and dysregulated inflammation in the genesis of occupational lung disease.
Topics: Berylliosis; Beryllium; Chronic Disease; Humans; Lymphocyte Activation
PubMed: 8933041
DOI: 10.1289/ehp.96104s5953 -
Federal Register Jan 2017The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is amending its existing standards for occupational exposure to beryllium and beryllium compounds. OSHA has...
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is amending its existing standards for occupational exposure to beryllium and beryllium compounds. OSHA has determined that employees exposed to beryllium at the previous permissible exposure limits face a significant risk of material impairment to their health. The evidence in the record for this rulemaking indicates that workers exposed to beryllium are at increased risk of developing chronic beryllium disease and lung cancer. This final rule establishes new permissible exposure limits of 0.2 micrograms of beryllium per cubic meter of air (0.2 [mu]g/m\3\) as an 8-hour time-weighted average and 2.0 [mu]g/m\3\ as a short-term exposure limit determined over a sampling period of 15 minutes. It also includes other provisions to protect employees, such as requirements for exposure assessment, methods for controlling exposure, respiratory protection, personal protective clothing and equipment, housekeeping, medical surveillance, hazard communication, and recordkeeping. OSHA is issuing three separate standards--for general industry, for shipyards, and for construction--in order to tailor requirements to the circumstances found in these sectors.
Topics: Berylliosis; Beryllium; Humans; Occupational Exposure; Occupational Health; Protective Clothing; Respiratory Protective Devices; United States; United States Occupational Safety and Health Administration
PubMed: 28071878
DOI: No ID Found -
Occupational and Environmental Medicine Nov 2020Work-related lung diseases (WRLDs) are entirely preventable. To assess the impact of WRLDs on the US transplant system, we identified adult lung transplant recipients...
OBJECTIVES
Work-related lung diseases (WRLDs) are entirely preventable. To assess the impact of WRLDs on the US transplant system, we identified adult lung transplant recipients with a WRLD diagnosis specified at the time of transplant to describe demographic, payer and clinical characteristics of these patients and to assess post-transplant survival.
METHODS
Using US registry data from 1991 to 2018, we identified lung transplant recipients with WRLDs including coal workers' pneumoconiosis, silicosis, asbestosis, metal pneumoconiosis and berylliosis.
RESULTS
The frequency of WRLD-associated transplants has increased over time. Among 230 lung transplants for WRLD, a majority were performed since 2009; 79 were for coal workers' pneumoconiosis and 78 were for silicosis. Patients with coal workers' pneumoconiosis were predominantly from West Virginia (n=31), Kentucky (n=23) or Virginia (n=10). States with the highest number of patients with silicosis transplant were Pennsylvania (n=12) and West Virginia (n=8). Patients with metal pneumoconiosis and asbestosis had the lowest and highest mean age at transplant (48.8 and 62.1 years). Median post-transplant survival was 8.2 years for patients with asbestosis, 6.6 years for coal workers' pneumoconiosis and 7.8 years for silicosis. Risk of death among patients with silicosis, coal workers' pneumoconiosis and asbestosis did not differ when compared with patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.
CONCLUSIONS
Lung transplants for WRLDs are increasingly common, indicating a need for primary prevention and surveillance in high-risk occupations. Collection of patient occupational history by the registry could enhance case identification and inform prevention strategies.
Topics: Berylliosis; Humans; Kaplan-Meier Estimate; Lung Diseases; Lung Transplantation; Male; Middle Aged; Occupational Diseases; Pneumoconiosis; Registries; Silicosis; Survival Analysis; United States
PubMed: 32859693
DOI: 10.1136/oemed-2020-106578 -
Environmental Health Perspectives Aug 2009Although chronic beryllium disease (CBD) is clearly an immune-mediated granulomatous reaction to beryllium, acute beryllium disease (ABD) is commonly considered an... (Review)
Review
CONTEXT
Although chronic beryllium disease (CBD) is clearly an immune-mediated granulomatous reaction to beryllium, acute beryllium disease (ABD) is commonly considered an irritative chemical phenomenon related to high exposures. Given reported new cases of ABD and projected increased demand for beryllium, we aimed to reevaluate the patho physiologic associations between ABD and CBD using two cases identified from a survey of beryllium production facility workers.
CASE PRESENTATION
Within weeks after exposure to beryllium fluoride began, two workers had systemic illness characterized by dermal and respiratory symptoms and precipitous declines in pulmonary function. Symptoms and pulmonary function abnormalities improved with cessation of exposure and, in one worker, recurred with repeat exposure. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid analyses and blood beryllium lymphocyte proliferation tests revealed lymphocytic alveolitis and cellular immune recognition of beryllium. None of the measured air samples exceeded 100 microg/m(3), and most were < 10 microg/m(3), lower than usually described. In both cases, lung biopsy about 18 months after acute illness revealed noncaseating granulomas. Years after first exposure, the workers left employment because of CBD.
DISCUSSION
Contrary to common understanding, these cases suggest that ABD and CBD represent a continuum of disease, and both involve hypersensitivity reactions to beryllium. Differences in disease presentation and progression are likely influenced by the solubility of the beryllium compound involved.
RELEVANCE TO PRACTICE
ABD may occur after exposures lower than the high concentrations commonly described. Prudence dictates limitation of further beryllium exposure in both ABD and CBD.
Topics: Adult; Air Pollutants, Occupational; Berylliosis; Beryllium; Humans; Hypersensitivity; Male; Radioactive Pollutants; Respiratory System; Skin; Young Adult
PubMed: 19672405
DOI: 10.1289/ehp.0800455 -
Proceedings of the Royal Society of... Sep 1971
Topics: Berylliosis; Chronic Disease; Epithelium; Golgi Apparatus; Granuloma; Humans; Lung Diseases; Lymphatic Diseases; Male; Middle Aged; Mitochondria; Occupational Diseases; Staining and Labeling; Steroids
PubMed: 4107145
DOI: No ID Found