[Mechanisms of the development of immunodependent inflammation in silicosis]

Patients with uncomplicated silicosis were found to develop chronic immunodependent inflammation caused by an adjuvant effect of silica and characterized by autoimmune, histamine- and complement-dependent components. Reduced specific and non-specific antimicrobial defence underlies frequent complication of silicosis by tuberculosis and nonspecific infectious diseases of the bronchopulmonary system. A diagram showing the development of immunodependent inflammation in silicosis is presented.