Malignant mesothelioma in a patient with anthophyllite asbestos fibres in the lungs.
The amphibole asbestos, anthophyllite, is associated with asbestos-related disease in humans, along with mesothelioma in animal models. In humans, however, there are only three cases of histologically proven malignant mesothelioma of the pleura associated with anthophyllite that have been documented in the English-language literature. A fourth case is presented in a man who lived in South Africa and had anthophyllite in his lung. Anthophyllite was never commercially mined in South Africa. Using scanning electron microscopy, his lung fibre burden was calculated to be 358,000 fibres and 31,000 asbestos bodies per gram of dry weight of lung tissue. The mean aspect ratio of the anthophyllite fibres in the lung was 41.2 (SD = 28.8). No other types of asbestos were detected in the lung. His exposure was almost certainly occupational. He worked in the plastic manufacturing industry and was exposed to talc and asbestos blankets that were used to insulate machinery.
Phillips
James Ian
JI
National Institute for Occupational Health, National Health Laboratory Service, Division of Pathology, Johannesburg 2000, South Africa. jim.phillips@nioh.nhls.ac.za
Murray
Jill
J
D000368:Aged; D000818:Animals; D017636:Asbestos, Amphibole / Q000032:analysis / Q000633:toxicity*; D001344:Autopsy; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D006801:Humans; D007221:Industry; D008297:Male; D008654:Mesothelioma / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000175:diagnosis*; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; D019016:Mineral Fibers / Q000032:analysis / Q000633:toxicity; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000175:diagnosis*; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000032:analysis / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010969:Plastics; D010997:Pleural Neoplasms / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000175:diagnosis*; D013019:South Africa; D013627:Talc / Q000737:chemistry / Q000633:toxicity
D017636:Asbestos, Amphibole; D019016:Mineral Fibers; D010969:Plastics; D013627:Talc; C025965:anthophyllite