Outcome of asbestos exposure (lung fibrosis and antinuclear antibodies) with respect to skin reactivity: an 8-year longitudinal study.

Two hundred seventy asbestos workers were examined during an 8-year period. During this time five consecutive surveys were completed. Skin tests with streptokinase-streptodornase (SK-SD), tuberculin (PPD), and phytohemagglutinin (PHA) were performed in the middle of this period.

Circulating immune complexes and antiglobulins (IgG and IgM) in asbestos-induced lung fibrosis.

Thirty-nine asbestos workers were examined with respect to the presence of IgG and IgM antiglobulins and circulating immune complexes. The overall incidence of raised levels of IgM antiglobulins and immune complexes was 63 and 28%, respectively. In the group positive for immune complexes, IgM antiglobulins were found more frequently than in those asbestos workers lacking immune complexes.

The follow-up study of skin reactivity to recall antigens and E- and EAC-RFC profiles in blood in asbestos workers.

We have determined cutaneous DTH reactions to SK-SD and PPD and peripheral blood lymphocyte profiles in a group of asbestos workers in two consecutive surveys. It was found that asbestosis and, to a lesser extent, the presence of ANA are significantly correlated with the lack of response to the above antigens. 83% of asbestos workers when tested at a 4 year interval fell into the same two categories of responsiveness (lack of response or response at least to one antigen).

Diagnostic specificity of autoantibodies. III. Age related changes in appearing autoantibodies serum IgD levels and their association with peripheral blood lymphocyte profiles.

Comparisons made between old and young people depicted the increase with aging in ANA and thyroid antibody incidence. In contrast to these antibodies SMA were frequently seen in young women. Also in women serum IgM levels were higher as compared to men.

Short time and prolonged low dose X radiation in human immunity.

In 172 X-ray technicians and 178 controls the occurrence of autoantibodies and serum immunoglobulin levels were determined. A slight and non-significant prevelance of autoantibodies was found in X-ray exposed women with extended employment. IgM levels tend to be higher in this group.

Cellular immunity in asbestosis.

A highly statistically significant correlation was found between asbestosis and impaired responsiveness in skin reaction to intermediate and second strength tuberculin and SK-SD. Considering ANA incidence these antibodies were found with higher frequency in asbestos workers who lacked a cutaneous response to the recall antigens. In asbestosis cases peripheral blood lymphocyte profiles are also abnormal demonstrating low proportions of E-RFC.

Diagnostic specificity of autoantibodies. II. Clustering of autoantibodies--role in diagnosis and in comparison to E--and EAC-RFC peripheral blood profiles and immunoglobulin levels.

Clustering of ANA and SMA was evaluated in patients with various internal diseases as a pattern of autoantibody formation. SMA was found in ANA positive patients with chronic hepatitis, undefined collagenoses and autoallergic thyroid diseases significantly more frequently, than in patients without any autoallergic disorders. The incidence of SMA in ANA positive cases with SLE and RA did not exceed their predictable by chance incidence.

HLA and antinuclear antibody incidence in asbestos workers.

The incidence of antinuclear antibodies (ANA) in asbestos textile workers was compared with the results of HLA typing. HLA B8 antigen was more frequent in the ANA-positive group as compared to the ANA-negative group. The relative risk of this associati-n is 2.

Hepatitis associated antigen, autoantibodies and serum immunoglobulin levels in patients with liver injury following administration of antituberculosis drugs.

32 patients with liver injury following the administration of tuberculosis drugs were examined for HAA, ANA, SMA and serum immunoglobulin levels. HAA was found in 38-7% of patients. SMA were detected in some HAA positive as well as in HAA negative cases.