Sarcoidlike lung granulomatosis induced by aluminum dusts.

Abstract

Interstitial lung disease developed in a 32-yr-old chemist after working 8 yr in a dusty atmosphere containing aluminum powders. Bronchoalveolar lavage disclosed a helper T-lymphocyte alveolitis, and transbronchial lung biopsies showed sarcoidlike epithelioid granulomas. These granulomas contained dust identified by mineralogic analyses as consisting mainly of aluminum particles. Nasal and liver biopsies and a Kveim test did not reveal extrapulmonary granulomatous infiltration. An extensive immunologic work-up showed none of the abnormalities classically seen in sarcoidosis, but peripheral blood lymphocytes exhibited blastic transformation in the presence of soluble aluminum compounds. About 1 yr after cessation of exposure, a chest radiograph and lung function tests remained essentially unchanged, but signs of alveolitis disappeared. This observation suggests that aluminum may cause granulomatous lung disease accompanied by a helper T-lymphocyte alveolitis, similar to that of berylliosis and sarcoidosis. Further observations would be necessary to show if this constitutes an early stage of aluminum-induced fibrosis (aluminum lung).

• Authors: P De Vuyst, P Dumortier, L Schandené, M Estenne, A Verhest, J C Yernault
• Journal: The American review of respiratory disease (Am Rev Respir Dis) Vol. 135 Issue 2 Pg. 493-7 (Feb 1987) ISSN: 0003-0805 [Print] United States
• PMID: 3813209 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Dust
• Minerals
• Aluminum

Topics

• Adult
• Aluminum (adverse effects)
• Bronchi (metabolism)
• Dust (adverse effects)
• Granuloma (chemically induced, diagnostic imaging, immunology, pathology)
• Humans
• Lung Diseases (chemically induced, diagnostic imaging, immunology, pathology)
• Male
• Minerals (metabolism)
• Pulmonary Alveoli (metabolism)
• Radiography, Thoracic
• Sarcoidosis (pathology)
• Therapeutic Irrigation