title: Chromosomal aberrations in occupation-associated progressive systemic sclerosis.
abstract: An occupational association between progressive systemic sclerosis (PSS) and workers in the goldmining industry in South Africa was first documented in 1957. We investigated the chromosomes of 18 goldminers suspected to be suffering from PSS. Eight patients were classified as definite cases of PSS, and a highly significant increase in unstable (Cu) cells and random aneuploidy was found in this group compared with control subjects (P < 0,001). Ten patients had some of the features of the disease, and in this group there was a significant increase in the number of Cu cells ( P < 0,05) and a highly significant increase in the number of aneuploid cells (P < 0,001). There was a significant increase in the number of sister chromatid exchanges per cell in the 6 patients screened. These findings are similar to those reported in PSS sufferers who have not had occupational exposure.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000782:Aneuploidy; D002869:Chromosome Aberrations; D005821:Genetic Techniques; D006046:Gold; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008906:Mining; D009784:Occupational Diseases; D012595:Scleroderma, Systemic / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000235:genetics*; D013223:Statistics as Topic
chemical_list: D006046:Gold