title: Humoral immunologic abnormalities in workers exposed to asbestos cement dust.
abstract: Serum specimens from 144 workers exposed to asbestos cement dust were examined for the presence of ANA, RF, immunoglobulins, and IC. These immunologic findings were compared with chest radiographic changes. A high percentage of workers had polyclonal hypergammaglobulinemia, and there was a statistically significant association between elevated levels of IgG and IgM and radiographic classification. Although a significant number of workers had an increased prevalence of ANA and elevated levels of IC, there was no correlation between these parameters and chest radiographs. These findings support B cell hyperactivity in workers exposed to asbestos and suggest that autoantibody production and IC are not directly involved in disease pathogenesis.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000917:Antibody Formation; D000936:Antigen-Antibody Complex / Q000032:analysis; D001195:Asbestosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000276:immunology*; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D007070:Immunoglobulin A / Q000032:analysis; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000032:analysis; D007136:Immunoglobulins / Q000032:analysis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011859:Radiography
chemical_list: D000936:Antigen-Antibody Complex; D001323:Autoantibodies; D007070:Immunoglobulin A; D007075:Immunoglobulin M; D007136:Immunoglobulins