[The effect of smoking on immunological parameters in silicosis]. / Influenta fumatului asupra unor parametri imunologici în silicoza.

The paper reports on the smoking influence on some immunologic parameters in a group of patients with micronodular silicosis. 3 groups of subjects were studied: I--group with micronodular silicosis, smokers with cigarette index 300; II--group with micronodular silicosis, nonsmokers; III--control group. The following immunologic parameters were determined: 1. Test of blastic transformation of LT at PHA and PHA+IL-1 TTB; 2. Inhibition of leukocyte migration--indirect test; 3. Phagocytosis test of sheep erythrocytes. The results obtained show, in the patients with silicosis, suppression of the ability of blastic transformation, of lymphokines release and non-efficient phagocytosis. Improvement of the lymphocyte function by adding IL-1 suggests a deficiency of this monokine in inducing modified immune response in these patients. Smoking depresses more obviously cellular mediated immune response, induced by silicosis.

[Surveillance of ventilation functions in collectives occupationally exposed to the risk of COPD]. / Supravegherea starii functionale ventilatorii în colectivitati expuse profesional la risc de BPOC.

The paper presents the clinical-functional manifestations in a group of 321 workers in a carbide department of a chemical combine works, professionally exposed to powders (calcium oxide, coke dust) and irritant gases (sulphur oxides, nitrogen oxides and ozone). Data processing, recorded on a questionnaire recommended by BMRC showed an incidence of 6.8% for simple chronic bronchitis, 14% for COPD and 39.8% for the disease of the small airways. The authors support the idea of the increased efficiency of the MEF50 test in comparison with MEVS for functional surveillance and early detection of broncho-obstructive ventilatory disturbances. In agreement with other dynamical observations of the authors the subjects found to suffer from simple chronic bronchitis have, in fact, obstruction, detectable by the MEF50 test.

[Immunological aspects of workers exposed to the risk of silicogenesis]. / Aspecte imunologice la muncitorii expusi riscului silicogen

Comparative studies were performed, of changes of serum proteins and IgG, IgA and IgM immunoglobulins in workers exposed to silicogenic dust. Depending on their response to tuberculin testing (2 U of PPD) these subjects were classified in negative and hyperergic. In both groups there was found a decreased albumin concentration in the serum and high alpha-2 globulin. In hyperergic subjects there was noted a slight increase of beta globulins and a significant rise in the titer of gammaglobulins. Immunoglobulins G showed a significant rise in hyperallergic subjects and slightly decreased in tuberculin negative ones, without attaining a level of immunologic deficiency. In both groups IgM immunoglobulins were significantly lowered, while IgA immunoglobulins were occasionally increased, although there was no positive correlation with tuberculin allergy. In three cases there was a slight IgA deficiency.