Mites in pulmonary cytology specimens.

Mites were observed in 55 pulmonary specimens examined routinely over a 4.5-yr period. The 55 specimens included 33 spontaneous and 12 aerosol-induced sputum samples, nine bronchial washings, and one fine-needle aspirate.

Ultrastructural and Energy dispersive analysis of inorganic inclusions in a muscle biopsy.

A muscle biopsy that, by light microscopy, exhibited mild atrophy consistent with chronic denervating disease was submitted for ultrastructural analysis. Inorganic structures within the tissue were defined by energy dispersive analysis as aluminosilicates, magnesium silicates, and iron deposits. These structures were localized in the interstitial (intercollagenous) area and in high concentrations within degenerated muscle bundles.

Comparison of sputum and lung asbestos body counts in former asbestos workers.

The asbestos (ferruginous) body content of lung tissues was compared to the number of asbestos bodies (AB) in sputum from 6 former amosite asbestos workers. Lung tissue was obtained at autopsy (5 subjects) and lobectomy (1 subject), and AB content was determined by a digestion-concentration technique. The sputum obtained was collected by both spontaneous cough (a pooled, 3-day specimen) and aerosolized hypertonic saline induction.

Pulmonary fibrosis, carcinoma, and ferruginous body counts in amosite asbestos workers. A study of six cases.

The Tyler Asbestos Workers Program is a continuing study of 1,105 former amosite asbestos workers. This report includes a study of six former workers, five of whom died and had autopsies, and one who underwent a lobectomy. Five of these men were exposed to asbestos for three months or less.

The clinical significance of ferruginous bodies in sputa.

The clinical significance of ferruginous bodies in sputa was examined in a study of 674 former asbestos workers. Data from occupational histories and smoking behavior questionnaires, chest radiographs, spirometric measurements and counts of ferruginous bodies were obtained as part of a five-year surveillance program. Statistical analysis demonstrated that ferruginous bodies found in the sputa were significantly related to radiographic findings of interstitial pulmonary disease and pleural fibrosis and to spirometric findings of restrictive lung disease.

The Tyler Asbestos Workers Program. I. A medical surveillance model and method.

An asbestos-exposed worker who smokes cigarettes has a high risk of developing cancer of the lung. One thousand ninety-five former workers at a plant manufacturing asbestos (amosite) insulation products were exposed to high levels of asbestos dust concentrations in the atmosphere. The workers have been identified and located.

Strongyloides stercoralis in routine Papanicolaou-stained sputum smears.

Three cases are reported in which the initial detection of unsuspected Strongyloides stercoralis infestation was made on Papanicolaou-stained smears of sputum submitted for routine cytopathology. All cases were subsequently confirmed by the examination of stool specimens. A common factor in the three cases was long-term treatment with corticosteroids for chronic respiratory disease.