1. Immunological, Cytological and Genetic Changes in Asbestos Exposed Workers.
- Author
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Saini, Navneet, Das, B. C., Mandal, Anubha, and Mandal, Ashish Kumar
- Subjects
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RESPIRATORY infections , *P53 antioncogene , *SPUTUM examination , *PATHOLOGICAL physiology , *INDIANS (Asians) , *PLEURA diseases , *BRONCHIAL carcinoma - Abstract
Introduction Asbestos exposure is linked with incident of pulmonary diseases comprising of bronchogenic carcinoma, mesothelioma, pleural plaque and asbestosis. International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has classified all types of asbestos as carcinogens. The exact pathogenic mechanisms by which asbestos fibres trigger pulmonary toxicity and neoplasia have not been fully understood. Many research studies have been undertaken for understanding the mechanisms of asbestos’s pathogenicity. India is an extensive user of asbestos, a very limited data is available on its effect on Indian population. Methods Factories workers using asbestos as raw material were included in the study. A detail history related to asbestos use was recorded in the form of questionnaire. The sputum and blood samples were collected from 100 workers. Their smear was made for pathological examination. The serum was used for evaluation of IgG, IgA, and IgM by using immune-diffusion method. Effect of asbestos fiber on p53 gene was also assessed. Results Medical examination of asbestos exposed workers indicated a recent upper respiratory tract infection. Peripheral smear showed toxic transformed lymphocytes. In 14 cases, Plasmacytoid lymphocytes were seen. DNA extracted was studied by single stand conformation polymorphism, one mutation in exon 5 was detected. Discussion Our findings presents initial pathological changes due to asbestos exposure. Thus simple techniques of blood and sputum examination can help in early detection of asbestos exposure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2024