title: Research to Practice Implications of High-Risk Genotypes for Beryllium Sensitization and Disease.
abstract: Beryllium workers may better understand their genetic susceptibility to chronic beryllium disease (CBD) expressed as population-based prevalence, rather than odds ratios from case-control studies.
  
  
  
  We calculated CBD prevalences from allele-specific DNA sequences of 853 workers for Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA)-DPB1 genotypes and groups characterized by number of E69-containing alleles and by calculated surface electronegativity of HLA-DPB1.
  
  
  
  Of 18 groups of at least 10 workers with specific genotypes, CBD prevalence was highest, 72.7%, for the HLA-DPB102:01:02/DPB117:01 genotype. Population-based grouped genotypes with two E69 alleles wherein one allele had -9 surface charge had a beryllium sensitization (BeS) of 52.6% and a CBD prevalence of 42.1%.
  
  
  
  The high CBD and BeS prevalences associated with -9-charged E69 alleles and two E69s suggest that workers may benefit from knowing their genetic susceptibility in deciding whether to avoid future beryllium exposure.
authors.affiliation: Respiratory Health Division (Drs Kreiss, Fechter-Leggett, Schuler [former affiliation], Weston), Health Effects Laboratory Division (Drs McCanlies, Weston [former affiliation]), and Division of Safety Research, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Morgantown, West Virginia (Dr Schuler).
authors.forename: Kathleen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kreiss
authors.forename: Ethan D
authors.initials: ED
authors.lastname: Fechter-Leggett
authors.forename: Erin C
authors.initials: EC
authors.lastname: McCanlies
authors.forename: Christine R
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Schuler
authors.forename: Ainsley
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Weston
mesh_terms: D001607:Berylliosis / Q000235:genetics*; D001608:Beryllium; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005838:Genotype; D059868:HLA-DP beta-Chains / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans
chemical_list: D059868:HLA-DP beta-Chains; C071170:HLA-DPB1 antigen; D001608:Beryllium