title: Development of beryllium lymphocyte transformation tests in chronic beryllium disease.
abstract: We found that optimal conditions for the beryllium transformation test required the use of purified lymphocyte suspensions in 20% human serum, with beryllium sulphate at concentrations of 10(-6) to 10(-7) M. Using these conditions, all 15 chronic beryllium patients tested gave a stimulation index of more than 2. Despite the above, 10(-5) and 10(-6)M, BeSO4 inhibited spontaneous thymidine incorporation and lymphocyte transformation to PHA and PPD in normal subjects. Alternative methods, using whole blood, venous and thumb-prick samples, gave fewer and less reproducible positive results.
mesh_terms: D001607:Berylliosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000276:immunology; D001608:Beryllium / Q000009:adverse effects; D002469:Cell Separation; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D002908:Chronic Disease; D006801:Humans; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000187:drug effects*; D010835:Phytohemagglutinins / Q000494:pharmacology; D014373:Tuberculin / Q000276:immunology; D014374:Tuberculin Test
chemical_list: D010835:Phytohemagglutinins; D014373:Tuberculin; C020711:beryllium sulfate; D001608:Beryllium