Rom W N, Lockey J E, Bang K M, Dewitt C, Johns R E
Arch Environ Health. 1983 Sep-Oct;38(5):302-7. doi: 10.1080/00039896.1983.10544010.
Chronic beryllium disease is a granulomatous and fibrotic pulmonary disorder with increased numbers and percentage of lymphocytes in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid similar to that found in hypersensitivity pneumonitis. Blastogenic lymphocyte transformation (LT) to beryllium salts has been described in lavage and blood lymphocytes in patients with chronic beryllium disease. We conducted a 3-yr prospective study to evaluate the relationship between LT and beryllium exposure and pulmonary changes consistent with chronic beryllium disease. There were 15.9% (13/82) positive LTs in 1979 and 8.2% (5/61) in 1982. Of 11 positive LTs in 1979, 8 were negative in 1982, concomitant with a significant reduction in exposure. A positive LT was not associated with reduced pulmonary function, and no radiographic changes consistent with beryllium disease were identified. We propose that LT in beryllium workers is related to exposure and is reversible when exposure levels are reduced through diligent industrial hygiene measures.
慢性铍病是一种肉芽肿性和纤维化的肺部疾病，支气管肺泡灌洗液中淋巴细胞数量和百分比增加，类似于超敏性肺炎中的情况。慢性铍病患者的灌洗淋巴细胞和血液淋巴细胞中已出现对铍盐的淋巴细胞母细胞转化（LT）。我们进行了一项为期3年的前瞻性研究，以评估LT与铍暴露以及与慢性铍病相符的肺部变化之间的关系。1979年LT阳性率为15.9%（13/82），1982年为8.2%（5/61）。1979年11例LT阳性者中，8例在1982年转为阴性，同时暴露量显著减少。LT阳性与肺功能降低无关，且未发现与铍病相符的影像学改变。我们认为铍作业工人的LT与暴露有关，当通过严格的工业卫生措施降低暴露水平时，LT是可逆的。
