[Hereditary polymorphism features in patients with silicosis associated with chronic bronchitis].

Chronic bronchitis frequently accompanies silicosis in metallurgy workers. Association of the two diseases significantly lowers life quality and disables the patients. Prophylactic measures for the diseases are elimination of the etiologic factors and detection of genetic markers for propensity and insusceptibility to silicosis and chronic bronchitis. Phenotypes of Lewis a-b- system, of Hp2-1 haptoglobin and of group-specific component Gc2-2 could be risk factors for chronic bronchitis in silicosis patients. Those of Lewis a-b+ system, of Hp2-2 haptoglobin and group-specific component Gc1-2 are resistant to chronic bronchitis on silicosis background.