[The presence of asbestos bodies in induced sputum as an indicator of asbestos exposure].
BACKGROUND
Very few references on the usability of presence of asbestos bodies (AB) in induced sputum as an indicator of asbestos exposure are to be found in the scientific literature.


OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to prove whether the presence of AB in induced sputum is a valid assessor of asbestos exposure.


METHODS
This was achieved by comparing the above-mentioned method with the search for AB in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid and repeating the trials over time in order to study the reproducibility of the results.


RESULTS
There was good agreement of results for the presence/absence of AB in induced sputum and in BAL among subjects who were environmentally exposed and those with 'a medium-high risk occupational exposure (100%), and poor agreement (66%) among subjects with a low risk occupational exposure. Agreement of results regarding the amount of particles per test was low. The method showed a sufficient reproducibility level (Cohen K=0.5).


CONCLUSIONS
Although the presence of asbestos bodies in induced sputum cannot replace bronchoalveolar lavage, it can however be used as a screening test for selecting subjects who should undergo BAL.
Pettazzoni
M
M
Unità Operativa di Medicina del Lavoro, Ospedale di Desio. mpettazzoni@hotmail.com
Rivolta
G
G
Mascagni
P
P
Carcano
Marta
M
Porro
Sara
S
Toffoletto
F
F
D000328:Adult; D001194:Asbestos / Q000032:analysis*; D001992:Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid / Q000737:chemistry*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D019016:Mineral Fibers / Q000032:analysis; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000032:analysis*; D013183:Sputum / Q000737:chemistry*
D019016:Mineral Fibers; D001194:Asbestos