Antimyeloperoxidase antibodies in individuals with occupational exposure to silica

Article Abstract:

It appears that people exposed to silica, an abrasive chemical compound, may also have levels of antibodies to myeloperoxidase (MPO) as seen in patients with some autoimmune diseases. MPO is an enzyme important to the immune process. Researchers measured antibody levels to MPO in 52 individuals exposed to silica over a 7-year period, six patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), seven patients with progressive systemic sclerosis (PSS), and 15 healthy volunteers (controls). They also measured levels of antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA), antibodies against normal tissue cells, in this population. Fourteen of the 52 individuals exposed to silica (27%) carried antibodies to MPO. Five of the patients with PSS (71%) and none of the patients with SLE carried antibodies to MPO. None of the controls carried the antibody to MPO. None of the patients exposed to silica had a positive ANCA test, except for one patient with kidney disease.

Peroxidase

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TAP polymorphism in patients with Behcet's disease

Article Abstract:

Variations in several genes may predispose some people to developing Behcet's disease. Behcet's disease is a rare, severe disease of young men with primary symptoms of eye inflammation and retinal vascularities. Researchers used polymerase chain reaction genetic typing to determine the existence and variations of HLA-DRB1, HLA-DQB1, and TAP1 and TAP2 genes in 58 Spanish patients with Behcet's disease (BD) and 116 healthy people. Results of this study confirmed that the HLA-B51 gene is linked with BD. The TAP1C fragment of the TAP1 gene was absent in all BD patients. Twelve percent of healthy subjects possessed TAP1C. People with TAP1C may be protected from BD. The combination of HLA-DQB1*0501 and the TAP2B gene fragment was found more often among BD patients than among healthy subjects. The HLA-DQB1*0501/TAP2B combination may be used to identify people who are at risk of developing BD.

Genetic aspects, Behcet's disease, Behcet's syndrome, Major histocompatibility complex, Disease susceptibility

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Multiple clinical and biological autoimmune manifestations in 50 workers after occupational exposure to silica

Article Abstract:

Occupational exposure to silica may increase the risk of developing an autoimmune disease. An autoimmune disease is a disorder characterized by an immune response against the body's own tissues. A study examined the incidence of autoimmune diseases among 50 factory workers employed by a factory that made a scouring powder with a high silica content. Thirty-two workers (64%) had symptoms of different types of systemic autoimmune diseases. Six of these individuals had symptoms of Sjogren's syndrome, five of systemic sclerosis, three of systemic lupus erythematosus and five of an 'overlap syndrome'. Thirteen individuals had symptoms that could not be defined as a specific disease. Antinuclear antibodies were found in the blood of 36 workers (72%). Antinuclear antibodies attack components of cell nuclei.

Officials and employees, Causes of, Factories, Autoimmune diseases

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