Immunologic techniques utilized in the diagnosis of occupational lung disease.

Humoral and/or cell-mediated immune responses may contribute to the tissue injury in patients with certain types of occupational asthma, hypersensitivity pneumonitis, silicosis, and asbestosis. Numerous diagnostic modalities are available to the clinician investigating the etiology of these disorders. Among the current immunologic techniques discussed in this article are immunoassays for specific anti-IgE antibody, gel diffusion reactions, immunoelectrophoresis, ANA assays, complement studies, and immune complex assays.