COMPARISON OF IN-VIVO AND IN-VITRO MEASURES OF BERYLLIUM SENSITIZATION

Citation
Ca. Bobka et al., COMPARISON OF IN-VIVO AND IN-VITRO MEASURES OF BERYLLIUM SENSITIZATION, Journal of occupational and environmental medicine, 39(6), 1997, pp. 540-547
Citations number
27
Categorie Soggetti
Public, Environmental & Occupation Heath
ISSN journal
10762752
Volume
39
Issue
6
Year of publication
1997
Pages
540 - 547
Database
ISI
SICI code
1076-2752(1997)39:6<540:COIAIM>2.0.ZU;2-R
Abstract
Chronic beryllium disease (CBD) diagnosis hinges on demonstrating a ce ll-mediated immune response to beryllium slats in vitro with the beryl lium lymphocyte proliferation test (BeLPT). The BeLPT has found widesp read application in screening for CBD and beryllium sensitization in p opulations of exposed workers. We hypothesized that the in vivo beryll ium salt patch test may be of value as an adjunct to the BeLPT, rectif ying false negative or ambiguous blood test results, We studied subjec ts with CBD (n = 11), beryllium sensitization without disease (n = 3), and control subjects with dermatitis (n = 20), Evaluation included co mpetition of a demographic questionnaire, blood BeLPT (if CBD or beryl lium-sensitized), and beryllium patch testing with 0.1% and 1% berylli um sulfate (BeSO4) in petrolatum and in aqueous vehicles, Biopsies wer e performed at abnormal patch test sites in five subjects, The 1% aque ous BeSO4 proved superior either to 1% petrolatum or 0.1% solutions, p roducing positive reactions in all CBD and beryllium-sensitized subjec ts. We observed no long-term adverse reactions. Biopsies demonstrated spongiotic changes early, followed by noncaseating granulomas within 2 8 days, We conclude that the beryllium patch test can be used safely t o clarify the sensitization state and diagnosis of CBD.