Scansetti G, Chiesa A, Capellaro E, Villari S, Sulotto F
Department of Traumatology, Orthopedics and Occupational Health, University of Turin, Italy.
Med Lav. 1996 Jul-Aug;87(4):283-8.
The prevalence of asbestos bodies (AB) in sputum was studied in a group of 220 former or current asbestos workers, who came under observation because of a claim for compensation and who had, in most cases, high levels of exposure. Only one sputum specimen was obtained from each subject. The overall AB prevalence was 34%; it was 24.5% among workers exposed to chrysotile only, and 42% among workers also exposed to amphiboles, thus showing a statistically significant difference. No significant differences were found in AB prevalence either between current asbestos workers and former workers or between asbestosis cases and those without asbestosis. AB prevalence among current smokers was significantly lower than that observed among non-smokers and ex-smokers pooled together. The highest AB prevalence was found among currently exposed textile workers (65.7%), especially in male subjects (66.7%). As the exposure of these groups was heavy and included amphiboles, it may be concluded that although AB counts are highly specific they have low sensitivity.
对一组220名曾经或现在的石棉工人痰液中的石棉小体（AB）患病率进行了研究，这些工人因申请赔偿而接受观察，且在大多数情况下接触水平较高。每个受试者仅采集一份痰液样本。总体AB患病率为34%；仅接触温石棉的工人中患病率为24.5%，同时接触闪石的工人中患病率为42%，因此显示出统计学上的显著差异。在现职石棉工人与离职工人之间，以及石棉沉着病患者与无石棉沉着病患者之间，AB患病率均未发现显著差异。现吸烟者的AB患病率显著低于非吸烟者和已戒烟者合并后的患病率。在目前仍接触石棉的纺织工人中AB患病率最高（65.7%），尤其是男性受试者（66.7%）。由于这些群体接触程度高且接触物包括闪石，因此可以得出结论，尽管AB计数具有高度特异性，但敏感性较低。
