Beryllium lymphocyte proliferation test

Maier LA. Beryllium health effects in the era of the beryllium lymphocyte proliferation test. Appl Occup Environ Hyg 2001 16 514-20. 

Beryllium exposure has been studied in 3185 workers from nine aluminium smelters owned by four different aluminium-producing companies, of whom 1932 workers participated in medical surveillance programs that included the serum beryllium lymphocyte proliferation test, confirmation of sensitization by at least two abnormal test results, and further evaluation for chronic beryllium disease in workers with beryllium sensitivity [41 ]. Nine workers had beryllium sensitivity (prevalence rate = 0.47%, 95% CI = 0.21, 0.88). The authors attributed the low rate of sensitization in aluminium smelters to the more soluble form of beryllium found in the aluminium smelting work environment and the consistent use of respiratory protection. 

Newman LS. Significance of the blood beryllium lymphocyte proliferation test. Environ Health Perspect 1996 104(suppl 5) 953-956. 

Stange AW, Furman FJ, Hilmas DE. The beryllium lymphocyte proliferation test relevant issues in berylhum health surveillance. Am J Ind Med 2004 46(5) ... 

Barna BP, Culver DA, Yen-Lieberman B et al (2003) Clinical application of beryllium lymphocyte proliferation testing. Clin Diagn Lab Immunol 990-994 Baur X, Richter G, Pethran A et al (1992) Increased prevalence of IgG-induced sensitization and hypersensitivity pneumonitis (humidifier lung) in nonsmokers exposed to aerosols of a contaminated air conditioner. Respiration 59 211-214... 

Frome EL, Newman LS, Cragle DL et al (2003) Identification of an abnormal beryllium lymphocyte proliferation test. Toxicology 183 39-56... 

A variety of techniques have been employed to assess the immune response to beryllium. Ho vever, the ease, sensitivity, and specificity have made the lymphocyte proliferation assay using H-thymidine the standard technique (Rossman et al. 1988, Mroz et al. 1991). In the past, this technique has been referred to as the lymphocyte transformation test (LTT), but transformation is an older term that is no longer applicable. The cells respond by proliferating (a normal process) and are not transformed, which today implies a malignant process. Hence, the test is currently known as the lymphocyte proliferation test (LPT). 

Farris GM, Newman LS, Frome EL, et al. Detection of beryllium sensitivity using a flow cytometric lymphocyte proliferation test the Immuno-Be-LPT. Toxicology 2000 143(2) 125-140. 

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