Fiber counting and analysis in the diagnosis of asbestos-related disease

Churg, A

HERO ID

709674

Reference Type

Journal Article

Year

1982

Language

English

PMID

6281166

HERO ID 709674
In Press No
Year 1982
Title Fiber counting and analysis in the diagnosis of asbestos-related disease
Authors Churg, A
Journal Human Pathology
Volume 13
Issue 4
Page Numbers 381-392
Abstract Analysis of numbers and types of asbestos fibers present in lung tissue may provide insights into the pathogenesis of asbestos-induced disease, as well as diagnostic information concerning the relationship of a given lesion to asbestos exposure. This type of analysis requires extraction of fibers and asbestos bodies from lung tissue, preferably by means of a digestion-and-concentration technique, and examination with a combination of electron optical techniques, including electron diffraction and energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy. The combination permits definitive identification of asbestos fibers. Asbestos bodies have been shown to contain asbestos no matter what population they are found in, but they appear to be of value in ascertaining unusual exposure only when present in very large numbers. Numbers of asbestos bodies markedly underestimate total numbers of fibers present in lung. In patients from the general population, the mean number of asbestos fibers is about 1 X 10(6)/g dry lung; of this number, more than 80 per cent are fibers of chrysotile less than 5 microns long. Patients in the general population who have pleural plaques have about the same total number of fibers, but their lungs contain about a 50-fold increase in long thin amphibole fibers of commercial origin. Patients who have asbestosis and most patients who have mesothelioma have 100 to 200 X 10(6) fibers/g dry lung; the grade of asbestosis appears to be related to total fiber content. Occasional patients may develop mesotheliomas with much smaller fiber burdens. Both benign and malignant pleural diseases appear to be closely related to the presence of long thin amphibole fibers. Analysis of pulmonary fiber burden suggest that asbestos-related disease is not merely a matter of total numbers of fibers present, but that factors such as fiber type and size are equally important.
Doi 10.1016/S0046-8177(82)80227-X
Pmid 6281166
Wosid WOS:A1982NN76000010
Url https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S004681778280227X
Is Certified Translation No
Dupe Override No
Is Public Yes
Language Text English
Keyword Asbestos, Amphibole; Asbestos, Serpentine; Asbestos, Crocidolite; 12001-28-4; Asbestos; 1332-21-4; Silicon Dioxide; 7631-86-9; Index Medicus; Lung Neoplasms -- ultrastructure; Silicon Dioxide -- analysis; Environmental Exposure; Pleural Neoplasms -- ultrastructure; Asbestos -- analysis; Lung -- ultrastructure; Asbestosis -- metabolism; Asbestosis -- pathology; Lung -- analysis
Is Qa No