Serological Reactions of Berylliosis Patients to Extracts of Lung Tissue

Mitogenic Effect of Beryllium Sulfate on Mouse B Lymphocytes but Not T Lymphocytes in vitro

“…We spec ulate that both B and T cells may have roles in beryl lium disease. Hypergammaglobulinemia and eleva tions of IgG, IgM and IgA are commonly seen in be ryllium disease and disease models [34][35][36][37], However, beryllium-specific antibodies have not yet been de tected [10,38]. This lack of a specific antibody could indicate an absence of beryllium-specific B cells.…”

Electron Microscopic and Morphometric Study of Monkey and Dog Lungs Exposed to Beryllium-Containing Dust

“…Consequently the results of that study contrast with those presented in this report. Two alternative explanations can be presented: Spencer et al (1967) have shown that different physical and chemical properties of beryllium oxide will also result in different degrees of toxicity. The inhalation of beryllium oxide calcinated at 500C over a period of 10 hours can lead to severe lung damage, even inducing the formation of adenocarcinoma.…”

“…More recent experimental studies on animals (Spencer et al, 1967;Robinson and Schaffner, 1968;Witschi, 1968;Vacher and Stoner, 1968) have revealed that beryllium compounds can cause pathological manifestations in lung, liver, and blood. The pulmonary damage induced by beryllium salts has been described as chemical pneumonitis (bronchoalveolitis) or as chronic granulomatosis resembling sarcoidosis (Pugliese et al, 1968;Hardy and Tabershaw, 1946).…”

“…A number of physical and chemical properties of this compound have been invoked as triggering factors of beryllium disease (Spencer et al, 1967). Since it has been shown in skin tests that hypersensitivity to beryllium compounds can exist, it has been postulated that the pulmonary changes are also due to an immunologic response (Van Ordstrand, 1966;Curtis, 1951).…”

“…Since it has been shown in skin tests that hypersensitivity to beryllium compounds can exist, it has been postulated that the pulmonary changes are also due to an immunologic response (Van Ordstrand, 1966;Curtis, 1951). In an experimental study on animals, Robinson and Schaffner (1968) found pulmonary lesions that they interpreted as typical foreign body reactions rather than as lesions of the immunological type. They have reported on results from animals exposed to a mixture containing beryllium oxide, beryllium fluoride, and beryllium chloride.…”