[The role of cytological studies in the clinical management of dust-induced occupational diseases].

Mineral dusts induced immunopathies in silicosis patients can be traced through changes in the composition, quantity and activity of the mononuclear phagocytic system detected in broncho-pulmonary secretions. It was established that the development of chronic non-specific pulmonary diseases and dust bronchites were caused by local immunopathies. A cytologic test for pulmonary and bronchial local protection was proposed through determining the degrees of pathologic developments, gravity of bronchitis, its predominant syndromes, and surveillance of the therapeutic course.