Comparative analysis of induced sputum and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) profile in asbestos exposed workers

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Biological monitoring of healthy workers exposed to hazardous dusts lack validated screening tools. Induced sputum (IS) cellular profile was compared with bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) profile in asbestos exposed workers in ord...

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Main Authors: Serbescu Aneta, Dimadi Maria, Bouros Demosthenes, Alexopoulos Evangelos C, Bakoyannis Giorgos, Kokkinis Fivos P
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2011-08-01
Series:Journal of Occupational Medicine and Toxicology
Online Access:http://www.occup-med.com/content/6/1/23
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author Serbescu Aneta
Dimadi Maria
Bouros Demosthenes
Alexopoulos Evangelos C
Bakoyannis Giorgos
Kokkinis Fivos P
author_facet Serbescu Aneta
Dimadi Maria
Bouros Demosthenes
Alexopoulos Evangelos C
Bakoyannis Giorgos
Kokkinis Fivos P
author_sort Serbescu Aneta
collection DOAJ
description <p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Biological monitoring of healthy workers exposed to hazardous dusts lack validated screening tools. Induced sputum (IS) cellular profile was compared with bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) profile in asbestos exposed workers in order to assess its usefulness in monitoring workers exposed to asbestos for a long period of time.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>IS and BALF analysis was performed in 39 workers of a car brakes and clutches factory that uses chrysotile asbestos. Selection criteria were an employment history of > 15 years and the absence of a diagnosis of pneumonoconiosis. The type of cells, the existence of dust cells, of iron laden macrophages and of asbestos bodies were assessed and compared between IS and BALF samples.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>35 IS samples (90%) had dust cells, 34 (87%) iron laden macrophages and in 8 samples (21%) asbestos bodies were found. In most samples neutrophils were dominated. Samples with asbestos bodies (ABs) had significantly higher lymphocytes and lower neutrophils count compared with the samples without ABs. Macrophages and neutrophils in IS and BALF exhibited significant inter-relations (Spearman's rho: 0.26-0.29, p < 0.05) while IS lymphocytes count showed an inverse relation with BALF neutrophils (Spearman's rho: -0.36). Neutrophils and dust cells were highly correlated between the samples (Spearman's rho: 0.35, p < 0.05) while IS dust cells and lymphocytes were inversely related (Spearman's rho: -0.36, p < 0.05). More years of employment in the company was related with more neutrophils (Spearman's rho: 0.26) and less lymphocytes (Spearman's rho: -0.33) count. In multivariate analysis the presence of AB in IS samples was strongly related to the presence of asbestos bodies and lymphocytes count in BALF samples.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>IS and BALF analysis showed a similar cellular profile indicating that IS sampling in exposed workers to asbestos as a less invasive and expensive method may be useful in providing an insight both for inhalation of dusts and inflammatory processes in the lung.</p>
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spelling doaj.art-d3115be3bfe74131807cc838c5160b122022-12-22T03:59:47ZengBMCJournal of Occupational Medicine and Toxicology1745-66732011-08-01612310.1186/1745-6673-6-23Comparative analysis of induced sputum and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) profile in asbestos exposed workersSerbescu AnetaDimadi MariaBouros DemosthenesAlexopoulos Evangelos CBakoyannis GiorgosKokkinis Fivos P<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Biological monitoring of healthy workers exposed to hazardous dusts lack validated screening tools. Induced sputum (IS) cellular profile was compared with bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) profile in asbestos exposed workers in order to assess its usefulness in monitoring workers exposed to asbestos for a long period of time.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>IS and BALF analysis was performed in 39 workers of a car brakes and clutches factory that uses chrysotile asbestos. Selection criteria were an employment history of > 15 years and the absence of a diagnosis of pneumonoconiosis. The type of cells, the existence of dust cells, of iron laden macrophages and of asbestos bodies were assessed and compared between IS and BALF samples.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>35 IS samples (90%) had dust cells, 34 (87%) iron laden macrophages and in 8 samples (21%) asbestos bodies were found. In most samples neutrophils were dominated. Samples with asbestos bodies (ABs) had significantly higher lymphocytes and lower neutrophils count compared with the samples without ABs. Macrophages and neutrophils in IS and BALF exhibited significant inter-relations (Spearman's rho: 0.26-0.29, p < 0.05) while IS lymphocytes count showed an inverse relation with BALF neutrophils (Spearman's rho: -0.36). Neutrophils and dust cells were highly correlated between the samples (Spearman's rho: 0.35, p < 0.05) while IS dust cells and lymphocytes were inversely related (Spearman's rho: -0.36, p < 0.05). More years of employment in the company was related with more neutrophils (Spearman's rho: 0.26) and less lymphocytes (Spearman's rho: -0.33) count. In multivariate analysis the presence of AB in IS samples was strongly related to the presence of asbestos bodies and lymphocytes count in BALF samples.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>IS and BALF analysis showed a similar cellular profile indicating that IS sampling in exposed workers to asbestos as a less invasive and expensive method may be useful in providing an insight both for inhalation of dusts and inflammatory processes in the lung.</p>http://www.occup-med.com/content/6/1/23
spellingShingle Serbescu Aneta
Dimadi Maria
Bouros Demosthenes
Alexopoulos Evangelos C
Bakoyannis Giorgos
Kokkinis Fivos P
Comparative analysis of induced sputum and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) profile in asbestos exposed workers
Journal of Occupational Medicine and Toxicology
title Comparative analysis of induced sputum and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) profile in asbestos exposed workers
title_full Comparative analysis of induced sputum and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) profile in asbestos exposed workers
title_fullStr Comparative analysis of induced sputum and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) profile in asbestos exposed workers
title_full_unstemmed Comparative analysis of induced sputum and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) profile in asbestos exposed workers
title_short Comparative analysis of induced sputum and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) profile in asbestos exposed workers
title_sort comparative analysis of induced sputum and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid balf profile in asbestos exposed workers
url http://www.occup-med.com/content/6/1/23
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