Silicate and metal dust in lungs of Greyhounds.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether the amount of opaque dust in lung specimens increases with age, the composition of that dust, and whether the composition is similar for Greyhounds and pet dogs.


METHODS
Quantification of lung particulate dust burdens.


METHODS
192 Greyhounds and 5 pet dogs.


METHODS
Lung specimens of 192 Greyhounds and 5 pet dogs were examined for dust accumulation, using light microscopy. Lung specimens from Greyhounds and the 5 pet dogs were analyzed, using scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy to quantify the lung burden of inorganic particles.


RESULTS
Lung dust burden increased linearly with age. Pulmonary dust was composed of aluminum silicates, silica, and 18 metals. Silicate and metal particulate burdens were higher in Greyhounds than in the pet dogs. The 3 most common metals were iron, titanium, and chromium.


CONCLUSIONS
Amount of opaque dust increased with age. The higher pulmonary dust burden in Greyhounds than in pet dogs suggests that environmental exposure is important.
Schoning
P
P
Department of Diagnostic Medicine/Pathobiology College of Veterinary Medicine, Kansas State University, Manhattan 66506, USA.
Abraham
J L
JL
Burnett
B R
BR
D000818:Animals; D004285:Dogs; D004391:Dust; D005260:Female; D008168:Lung / Q000473:pathology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008264:Macrophages / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008670:Metals / Q000032:analysis*; D012044:Regression Analysis; D017640:Silicates / Q000032:analysis*; D012822:Silicon Dioxide
D004391:Dust; D008670:Metals; D017640:Silicates; D012822:Silicon Dioxide