title: Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid cellular profile in workers exposed to chrysotile asbestos.
abstract: The cellular profile of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) in asbestos-exposed population remains controversial. We, therefore, aimed to investigate BALF in apparently healthy individuals that were exposed in asbestos-related work for a long period of time. Participants were selected among employees of a car brakes and clutches factory that used chrysotile asbestos. Selection criteria were an employment history of ≥ 15 years and the absence of severe respiratory disease. The total number and type of BALF cells, the existence of dust cells, iron-laden macrophages and asbestos bodies were assessed. Thirty-nine workers (25 men), with a mean age of 46.2 ± 4.2 years and a mean employment time of 23.5 ± 4 years, participated. Asbestos bodies were observed in 14 out of 39 (36%) specimens, dust cells in 37 and iron-laden macrophages in all. Those with asbestos bodies had at least 3 times higher probability to have lymphocytosis (lymphocytes > 11%: 64% vs 28%, p = 0.027) and had an increased percentage of iron-laden macrophages compared to those without asbestos bodies (median values: 42% vs 13%, p = 0.08). Smokers (36%) had less lymphocytes compared to non and ex-smokers (median values: 6% vs. 13%, p = 0.002), and iron-laden macrophages count had a positive relation (r = 0.31, p = 0.05) to lymphocyte count. Asbestos-exposed asymptomatic individuals with the presence of asbestos bodies in the BALF are more likely to have lymphocytic alveolitis while concurrent dust exposure and smoking habits hold a significant role.
authors.affiliation: Clinic of Pneumonology, General Hospital of Lamia, Greece.
authors.forename: Fevos P
authors.initials: FP
authors.lastname: Kokkinis
authors.forename: Demosthenes
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Bouros
authors.forename: Konstantinos
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hadjistavrou
authors.forename: Ruxandra
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ulmeanu
authors.forename: Anneta
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Serbescu
authors.forename: Evangelos C
authors.initials: EC
authors.lastname: Alexopoulos
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational / Q000633:toxicity*; D017632:Asbestos, Serpentine / Q000633:toxicity*; D001336:Automobiles; D029481:Bronchitis, Chronic / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D001992:Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid / Q000737:chemistry / Q000166:cytology*; D005260:Female; D006115:Greece; D006801:Humans; D008218:Lymphocytosis / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D008264:Macrophages / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects; D012907:Smoking; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational; D017632:Asbestos, Serpentine