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Screening blood test identifies subclinical beryllium disease
K Kreiss1, L S Newman, M M Mroz
1Department of Medicine, National Jewish Center for Immunology and Respiratory Medicine, Denver, CO 80206.
Journal of Occupational Medicine. : Official Publication of the Industrial Medical Association
|July 1, 1989
Summary
The beryllium lymphocyte transformation test can detect early beryllium disease in workers. This blood test shows promise for screening and preventing chronic beryllium disease.
Area of Science:
- Occupational Medicine
- Immunology
Background:
- Chronic beryllium disease (CBD) is a serious occupational lung disease.
- Early diagnosis of CBD is crucial for effective management and prevention of disease progression.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the beryllium-specific lymphocyte transformation test (LTT) as a workplace screening tool for early detection of beryllium disease.
- To assess the utility of peripheral blood LTT in identifying subclinical cases of CBD.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 58 workers with current beryllium exposure underwent screening.
- Peripheral blood samples were collected for beryllium-specific LTT.
- Clinical evaluations, including transbronchial lung biopsy and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) cell LTT, were performed for individuals with elevated peripheral blood LTT results.
Main Results:
- Six out of 51 (11.8%) exposed workers showed elevated peripheral blood LTT results.
- Four out of five workers clinically evaluated had confirmed beryllium disease, indicated by granulomata on biopsy and elevated BAL cell LTT.
- Peripheral blood LTT demonstrated good reproducibility.
Conclusions:
- The peripheral blood beryllium-specific LTT can identify minimally symptomatic cases of beryllium disease.
- A positive peripheral blood LTT does not always confirm active beryllium disease at initial evaluation.
- The peripheral blood LTT shows potential as a valuable screening tool for early diagnosis and prevention of chronic beryllium disease.