Hypoadrenocorticism in beagles exposed to aerosols of plutonium-238 dioxide by inhalation.
Hypoadrenocorticism, known as Addison's disease in humans, was diagnosed in six beagles after inhalation of at least 1.7 kBq/g lung of 238PuO2. Histological examination of adrenal gland specimens obtained at necropsy revealed marked adrenal cortical atrophy in all cases. Autoradiographs showed only slight alpha-particle activity. Although the pathogenesis of adrenal cortical atrophy in these dogs is unclear, there is evidence to suggest an autoimmune disorder linked to damage resulting from alpha-particle irradiation to the lymphatic system.
Weller
R E
RE
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, Washington 99352, USA.
Buschbom
R L
RL
Dagle
G E
GE
Park
J F
JF
Ragan
H A
HA
Watson
C R
CR
D000224:Addison Disease / Q000209:etiology*; D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D000311:Adrenal Glands / Q000473:pathology / Q000528:radiation effects; D000336:Aerosols; D000818:Animals; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D001345:Autoradiography; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D011005:Plutonium / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000633:toxicity*
D000336:Aerosols; D011005:Plutonium