 | The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA |
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| The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA |
Lisa A Maier, MD, MSPH, FCCP1, Jing Liang, MD2, Guanming Yang, BA2, and Milton Rossman, MD2. (1) Division of Environmental & Occupational Health Sciences, National Jewish Medical and Research Center, 1400 Jackson Street, Denver, CO 80206, 303-398-1520, MaierL@NJC.ORG, (2) Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care Division, University of Pennsylvania Medical Center, 421 Curie Blvd., 851 BRB II/III, Philadelphia, PA 851 BRB II/I
Cases of community-acquired chronic beryllium disease (CA-CBD) were reported between 1940 and 1960. We identified recently diagnosed cases of CA-CBD. Medical records were reviewed from individuals in a community surrounding a beryllium manufacturing facility. Definite cases of CA-CBD required an abnormal blood or lavage cell beryllium lymphocyte proliferation test (BeLPT) and granulomatous inflammation on lung biopsy. Probable cases of CA-CBD either 1) displayed an abnormal blood or lavage LPT and radiography consistent with CBD or 2) met epidemiologic criteria having lived in a community with previously documented beryllium exposure and CA-CBD cases, radiography, pathology and a clinical course consistent with CBD. Cases of CBD with occupational or potential second hand exposure were excluded. From review of medical records, we found 16 cases of potential CA-CBD. Three cases were excluded because they had worked in the beryllium facility, one had potential second hand exposure from a family member, while four did not meet criteria for definite or probable CBD. There were five cases of definite CA-CBD and three with probable CA-CBD. Of those probable cases, one had an abnormal BeLPT and radiographic evidence of CBD, while two met epidemiologic criteria for CBD. Years of residence in the community began between 1943-1953 and continued until 1956-2001. Cases of CA-CBD meeting current diagnostic criteria were diagnosed between 1999 and 2002 with exposures that occurred after 1950. Beryllium medical surveillance would be beneficial to the community as it is likely that more cases of CA-CBD currently exist and will be diagnosed in the future.
Learning Objectives:
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.