Cellular and humoral hypersensitivity reactions during silicosis and silicotuberculosis.

Together with the synthesis of specific antibodies and autoantibodies, effects of cellular allergy, such as damage to neutrophils, agglomeration of leukocytes and inhibition of migration of leukocytes with tuberculin and isologous pulmonary antigen were established in patients with silicosis and silicotuberculosis. Autoallergy becomes manifest already in the "pre-roentgenological" stage of development of silicosis; in silicotuberculosis it correlates with the stage of the specific process. In both silicosis and silicotuberculosis, it includes elements of immediate and delayed hypersensitivity. In clinical practice, allergic reactions of leukocytes with tuberculin can be of assistance in determining the stage of the specific process and in differential diagnosis of silicosis and silicotuberculosis.