ABSTRACT
To evaluate the possible role of immunogenetic factors as predisposing determinants of the development of asbestosis in exposed workers, we obtained 53 phenotypes of the human leucocyte antigen (HLA)-A, B, C, and DR antigens in 72 long-term workers of the mines and mills of Quebec and in a reference population of 150 residents. Among the asbestos workers, 32 did not have any abnormality and 40 had asbestosis. The 2 groups did not differ in term of age, exposure, or cigarette smoking habits. In agreement with previous reports, we found no significant change in frequency of the HLA-A, B, or C phenotypes. Furthermore, we did not find any significant change in the frequency of 10 phenotypes of the HLA-DR loci. We conclude that immunogenetic factors are not major predisposing determinants of asbestosis.
