Immunological profile of chest x-ray-negative, asymptomatic asbestos workers.

Several immunologic parameters, both humoral and cellular, were studied in the serum and peripheral blood lymphocytes derived from chest x-ray-negative, asymptomatic asbestos workers. All humoral and cellular parameters were intact, except the con-A-induced T cell suppressor activity and T cell division in autologous mixed lymphocyte reaction, which were significantly elevated in the asbestos plant workers. The significance of these increased T cell activities in asbestos exposed people is not clear, and further clinical and immunological follow-up is warranted.