Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
Pivot Concepts:   Target Concepts:
Query: UMLS:C0037116 (silicosis)
 1,822 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Electron microscopy of femoral lymph nodes of barefooted Ethiopians show the presence of numerous particles of colloid-size and electron-density in the lysosomes of the macrophages in the gland. On diffraction analysis, the particles are found to be amorphous. Elemental microanalysis of the X-ray spectrum indicate the predominance of Si, Al and Fe. In elephantiasics some particles contain silicon alone, presumably silica. The distribution of the Al/Si ratios of the particles in subjects with elephantiasis of the lower legs show a difference from that of non-elephantiasics which is statistically "highly significant" at p less than 0.001. The importance of this as a possible aetiological factor in the disease is discussed. The hypothesis that the disease is discussed. The hypothesis that the disease is a silicosis of the peripheral lymphatics of the lower limbs is supported by the present study.
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PMID:Silica and silicates in femoral lymph nodes of barefooted people in Ethiopia with special reference to elephantiasis of the lower legs. 23 57

Evidence for an association of endemic non-filarial elephantiasis of the lower legs with areas of red clay soils around volcanoes has been noted in several countries bordering the Rift Valley in East Africa. It was of interest to observe whether the association is also present in an area of endemic prevalence of the disease in West Africa. Such an area occurs in the Cameroon highlands where it has been suggested that onchocerciasis might be an etiological factor. The present study describes the results of a survey in this area. There was no statistical evidence of a relationship with onchocerciasis and the content of mineral microparticles in lymphatic tissues of the lower legs was again established. Climatic, geological and soil characteristics were similar to those in East Africa. It is considered that the disease in the two widely separated non-bancrofti areas is of similar etiology and it is proposed that it may be interpreted as silicosis of peripheral lymphatics of the lower legs.
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PMID:Endemic elephantiasis of the lower legs in the United Cameroon Republic. 724 37