Interaction of genetic and exposure factors in the prevalence of berylliosis

Am J Ind Med. 1997 Oct;32(4):337-40. doi: 10.1002/(sici)1097-0274(199710)32:4<337::aid-ajim3>3.0.co;2-r.

Abstract

Prevalence of berylliosis, a lung disorder driven by the activation of beryllium-specific T cells, is associated with a major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II marker (HLA-DPB1Glu69) and with the type of industrial exposure. We evaluated the interaction between marker and exposure in a beryllium-exposed population in which the prevalence of berylliosis was associated with machining beryllium. The presence of the marker was associated with higher prevalence (HLA-DPB1Glu69-positive machinists 25%; HLA-DPB1Glu69-negative machinists 3.2%, P = 0.05) and predicted berylliosis independent of machining history (odds ratios 11.8 and 10.1). The study shows that in berylliosis the carrier status of a genetic susceptibility factor adds to the effect of process-related risk factors.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Berylliosis / epidemiology
  • Berylliosis / genetics*
  • Female
  • Genetic Markers*
  • HLA-DP Antigens*
  • Humans
  • Logistic Models
  • Male
  • Metallurgy
  • Occupational Exposure*
  • Oligonucleotide Probes
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Prevalence
  • Risk Factors
  • Statistics, Nonparametric
  • United States / epidemiology

Substances

  • Genetic Markers
  • HLA-DP Antigens
  • Oligonucleotide Probes