title: Secondary ion mass spectroscopy demonstrates retention of beryllium in chronic beryllium disease granulomas.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We hypothesized that beryllium (Be) might persist in lung granulomas in patients with chronic beryllium disease (CBD).
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 33 Be-exposed ceramics workers underwent transbronchial biopsy. They were classified based on histopathology and Be-lymphocyte proliferation test as CBD or other categories. Lung tissue sections were analyzed using secondary ion mass spectroscopy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Be was detected in the lungs of all Be-exposed groups. Be levels were increased within the granulomas of patients with CBD compared with the Be levels outside granulomas. Notably, Be was detectable in the lungs of CBD patients who had ceased exposure to Be an average of 9 years previously.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Be was detected in the lungs of all Be-exposed subjects, with the highest levels of persistent Be inside CBD lung granulomas. Be antigen persistence may help explain the chronicity of this granulomatous disorder.
authors.affiliation: Division of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, Robert Hollis Laboratory of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, Department of Medicine, National Jewish Medical and Research Center, Denver, Colorado, USA. sawyerr@niaid.nih.gov
authors.forename: Richard T
authors.initials: RT
authors.lastname: Sawyer
authors.forename: Jerrold L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Abraham
authors.forename: Elaine
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Daniloff
authors.forename: Lee S
authors.initials: LS
authors.lastname: Newman
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001607:Berylliosis; D001608:Beryllium / Q000032:analysis*; D001706:Biopsy; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D015769:Granuloma, Respiratory Tract; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D018629:Spectrometry, Mass, Secondary Ion / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D001608:Beryllium