[Clinical and morphologic characteristics of lung cancer in miners of Krivoy Rog iron-ore region and of uranium mines of Zhovti Vody].

Clinical and morphological features of cancer were observed in two groups of miners (of Krivoy Rog iron-ore and Zholty Vody uranium mines), working in hazardous labour conditions. In both of groups the disease course had typical features for lung cancer. Roentgenologic changes were observed, central cancer of left and right lung was revealed by bronchoscopy method.

[Bronchoalveolar lavage in the diagnosis of occupational pulmonary diseases in miners].

One of objective methods of early and differential diagnosis of occupational pulmonary diseases in miners (pneumoconiosis, silicotuberculosis, dust bronchitis) is bronchoscopy with a cytologic examination of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BAF). BAF-examination was carried out in a total of 88 patients with incipient and advanced forms of dust bronchitis, pneumoconiosis and silicotuberculosis. A direct relationship has been revealed between a decline in local cell-bound immunity caused by a dust-inducted affection mononuclear phagocytes and advancing of stages of dust-related diseases.

[Significance of immunoenzyme analysis in early diagnosis of dust bronchitis].

Measurement of levels of antibodies to a causative agent of tuberculosis with the aid of the enzyme immunoassay can serve as one of methods for early diagnosis of infectious- and dust diseases. Patients with clinically established diagnosis of dust bronchitis, latent silicotuberculosis and manifest silicotuberculosis demonstrated a significantly higher level of antituberculous antibodies in blood plasma as compared to controls. Establishment of the above fact permits regarding a major proportion of dust bronchitis as a silicotuberculous process.