Some immunological findings in silicosis.

Results of an experimental study of the effect of quartz [DQ 12a1 administered intratracheally to Wistar line rats on the status of their immunological reactivity. The results obtained showed that a significant inhibition of antibody formation to human albumin took place in animals with experimental silicosis in comparison with control rats that were given physiological saline or corundum as established by passive haemagglutination reaction according to Boyden as well as enhancement of the intensity of the delayed-type hypersensitivity to tuberculin. That became manifest by stronger inhibition of macrophage migration from spleen fragments.