Autoantibodies in coalminers: Their relationship to the development of progressive massive fibrosis

Abstract

Sera from 2421 coalminers, representing all the radiological categories of pneumoconiosis, and from 260 healthy blood donors, as controls, were examined for antinuclear factor and rheumatoid factor. Antinuclear factors were present in 21.5% of sera from the controls and in 23.1 % from the coalminers' group. Rheumatoid factor was present in 5.3% of coalminers and as expected occurred particularly in the few men with progressive massive fibrosis who also had rheumatoid disease. The combined prevalence of both factors showed an increase with age at all disease levels and a significant association with pneumoconiosis category only in men older than 60 years. This study provides no evidence that autoantibodies are likely to be of value in detecting men predisposed to the development of massive fibrosis other than those with rheumatoid disease.

Prevalence and pathogenesis of pneumoconiosis in coal workers.

“…Antibody levels possessed no predictive value in the genesis of massive fibrosis (54). A parallel existed in respect to sandblasters' silicosis, in which high levels of ANA, RF and serum immunoglobulins were unrelated to the stage of disease, radiological progression, or decrement of lung function (55).…”

Multisystem Amyloidosis in a Coal Miner with Silicosis: Is Exposure to Silica Dust a Cause of Amyloid Deposition?

“…Studies show an association between chronic silicosis and autoimmune disease, such as systemic sclerosis, lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, dermatomyositis, and vasculitis [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 ]. Epidemiological studies among coal miners with silicosis have demonstrated a high frequency of antinuclear antibodies and rheumatoid factor [ 7 ]. Exposure to silica may also be the prime factor of glomerulonephritis.…”

Immune Complexes and the Lung: A Skeptical Review

“…An increased prevalence occurred with age at all levels of pulmonary involvement and there was no evidence that autoantibodies were of value in detecting men predisposed to the development of massive pulmonary fibrosis, other than those with clinically manifest rheumatoid disease [45], Similarly, in sub jects exposed to silica, there was no signifi cant correlation between any humoral immu nological abnormality and radiographic changes or declines in pulmonary function [46] . Nor were any such correlations found in asbestos workers with and without asbestosis [47] , Cystic fibrosis patients exhibit circulating immune complexes in 25-47% of patients studied [48,49].…”