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Research Interests
Beryllium Lymphocyte Proliferation Testing (BeLPT)
 When a lymphocyte T cell antigen receptor recognizes a specific antigen substance bound to an HLA Class I or II molecule, the T cell responds in a variety of ways (for example; secreting inflammatory cytokines and/or undergoing cell division). Each T lymphocyte expresses only a single T cell antigen receptor. When sufficiant numbers of specific T cells are present (usually greater than 1/10,000), the response of specific T cells can be detected clinically by either in-vitro or in-vitro testing. The in-vitro response is usually measured as a delayed hypersensitivity skin test. The in-vitro T cell response is normally measured by recording the proliferation response to a specific antigen, that individual is said to be sensitive or hypersentitive to that antigen.
  Beryllium can be a component of antigens and is associated with granulomatous hypersensitivity disorder in a small number (such as 5%) of individuals in an exposed population. Large numbers of CD4+ T-lymphocytes accumulate in the lung in chronic beryllium disease (Rossman et al, 1988, and Saltini et al, 1989). The reactivity of these lymphocytes to beryllium provides a specific and sensitive laboratory test for differentiating chronic beryllium disease from sarcoidosis (Rossman et al, 1988). In chronic beryllium disease, the beryllium reactivity of lymphocytes obtained by bronchoalveolar lavage is generally greater than the reactivity of lymphocytes obtained from the peripheral blood. By measuring the reactivity of lymphocytes obtained from the peripheral blood, beryllium sensitivity can also be detected in workers without disease (Kreiss et al, 1993). Some of the workers without disease that have been identified by positive blood proliferation responses to beryllium have gone to develop disease.
 Beryllium sensitivity testing is used as a screening tool possible chronic beryllium disease, as a surveillance tool in indicating hazardous working conditions, and as part of the diagnostic criteria for the disease. The blood lymphocyte proliferation test for beryllium sensitization (BeLPT) is a screening test with a sensitivity and specificity that is not clearly defined at this time. This is attributable to the fact that the populations of normal people have not had lung biopsy and bronchoalveolar lavage to include or exclude chronic beryllium disease. The value of a repeatedly positive BeLPT's in predicting CBD can be calculated and is estimated to be approximately 44 to 50 percent (positive predictive value). The bronchoalveolar lavage lymphocyte proliferation test for beryllium sensitization (BAL-LPT) is the preferred test of beryllium sensitivity as part of the diagnostic criteria for chronic beryllium disease (Ref: DOE-SPEC-1142-2001, April 2001).
This lab is jointly directed by Doctors Bruce Mazer and Qutayba Hamid.
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Protocols:
Information and Instruction for BeLPT Blood Taking (English)
Information and Instruction for BeLPT Blood Taking (French)
Forms:
Requisition Form (English)
Requisition Form (French)
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