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)

In a 59-year old sand-blaster, histologically proven silicosis was complicated by systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and focal glomerulonephritis with IgG, IgA and ClQ deposits. Nothing likely to facilitate SLE was detected by investigating the familial background, the HLA phenotype and the complement system. This type of SLE differs from drug-induced lupus-like syndromes by a high level of anti-double helix DNA antibodies and by the renal lesions observed. The connection between silicosis and SLE lies in changes in humoral immunity, i.e. polyclonal activation and production of antinuclear antibodies. A decrease in the number of suppressor T-cells may also be held responsible.
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PMID:[Pulmonary silicosis and disseminated lupus erythematosus]. 663 73

We have updated a study of 3,328 gold miners who worked underground for at least 1 year between 1940-1965 in South Dakota, extending the follow-up from 1977 to 1990. The exposures of concern were silica and nonasbestiform amphibole minerals. The lung cancer standardized mortality ratio (SMR) was 1.13 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.94-1.36, 115 observed) when the U.S. population was used as the referent group, increasing to 1.25 (95% CI 1.03-1.51) when the county was used as the referent, and to 1.27 (1.02-1.55) for person-time with more than 30 years potential latency. However, lung cancer mortality did not show a positive exposure-response trend with estimated cumulative dust exposure. Data on smoking habits suggested that the miners smoked slightly more than the U.S. population in a 1960 cross-sectional survey. In contrast to lung cancer, other diseases known to be associated with silica exposure (tuberculosis and silicosis) were significantly increased (SMR = 3.44 and 2.61) and exhibited clear exposure-response trends. Nonmalignant renal disease, also associated with silica exposure, was elevated for those hired in early years and showed a significant positive exposure-response trend. Multiple-cause analysis revealed significant excesses of arthritis, musculoskeletal diseases (including systemic lupus and sclerosis), and skin conditions (including scleroderma and lupus), diseases of autoimmune origin which have been associated with silica exposure in other studies. Multiple cause analysis also showed a significant excess of diseases of the blood and blood-forming organs.
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PMID:Mortality study of gold miners exposed to silica and nonasbestiform amphibole minerals: an update with 14 more years of follow-up. 775 12

A 60-year-old stonemason, suffering for many years from joint pains and exertional dyspnoea, developed a high fever with weight loss. Physical examination revealed reddening of light-exposed skin areas, fine rales and overly warm and reddened hand and knee joints. Abnormal laboratory findings were increased erythrocyte sedimentation rate of 66 mm/h, C-reactive protein concentration of 1 mg/dl, haemoglobin of 9.4 g/dl and white cell count of 3300/microliters. Urine contained albumin (100 mg/dl) and cylinders. Titres of both antinuclear and anti-ds-DNA antibodies were elevated (1:2560 and > 97 U/ml, respectively). The chest radiography showed enlarged hili, as well as reticular and nodular shadows which histologically showed silicosis. Systemic lupus erythematodes was diagnosed and the patient was treated with prednisone (2 mg/kg daily), the dosage being reduced to 12 mg daily within 3 months. When the joint pains recurred, azathioprine (50 mg daily) was added for 24 months. At present he is receiving prednisone (12 mg daily) and there has been no recurrence for 4 years.
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PMID:[Systemic lupus erythematosus and silicosis]. 785 45

Exposure to silica minerals is associated with silicosis and autoimmune disorders, especially systemic scleroderma. Evidence of this association has been increasingly reported in the last decade. The aim of this paper is to discuss, on the basis of a literature review, the case of a 28-year-old female dental technician who suffered from episodes of weakness, arthralgia, pain, swelling and stiffness of the fingers, dyspnoea with cough, a positive Waaler-Rose reaction, increased rheumatoid factor and normal ESR. She was a non-smoker. A rheumatoid syndrome with lung interstitial disorder, associated with silica exposure from dental ceramic products, was diagnosed. The patient had the HLA-A2-A31, HLA-B51-B18 and HLA-DR3-DR11 haplotypes, some of which are associated with autoimmune disease susceptibility. A 6-month follow-up, with adequate protection and without treatment, showed disappearance of the symptomatology and negative tests for Waaler-Rose reaction and rheumatoid factor. Exposure to silica should, therefore, be sought in the history of any patient with autoimmune or lupus-like syndrome and pulmonary changes. Symptoms associated with silica dust exposure from dental ceramic products should be recognised as being due potentially to an occupational disease, and dental technicians should be protected as workers at risk.
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PMID:Rheumatoid syndrome associated with lung interstitial disorder in a dental technician exposed to ceramic silica dust. A case report and critical literature review. 1195 93

Silicosis patients (SILs) and patients who have been exposed to asbestos develop not only respiratory diseases but also certain immunological disorders. In particular, SIL sometimes complicates autoimmune diseases such as systemic scleroderma, rheumatoid arthritis (known as Caplan syndrome), and systemic lupus erythematoses. In addition, malignant complications such as lung cancer and malignant mesothelioma often occur in patients exposed to asbestos, and may be involved in the reduction of tumor immunity. Although silica-induced disorders of autoimmunity have been explained as adjuvant-type effects of silica, more precise analyses are needed and should reflect the recent progress in immunomolecular findings. A brief summary of our investigations related to the immunological effects of silica/asbestos is presented. Recent advances in immunomolecular studies led to detailed analyses of the immunological effects of asbestos and silica. Both affect immuno-competent cells and these effects may be associated with the pathophysiological development of complications in silicosis and asbestos-exposed patients such as the occurrence of autoimmune disorders and malignant tumors, respectively. In addition, immunological analyses may lead to the development of new clinical tools for the modification of the pathophysiological aspects of diseases such as the regulation of autoimmunity or tumor immunity using cell-mediated therapies, various cytokines, and molecule-targeting therapies. In particular, as the incidence of asbestos-related malignancies is increasing and such malignancies have been a medical and social problem since the summer of 2005 in Japan, efforts should be focused on developing a cure for these diseases to eliminate nationwide anxiety.
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PMID:Immunological effects of silica and asbestos. 1776 16