Berilliosis symptoms, causes and prevention

Berilliosis (Beryllium Disease) is an inflammation of the lungs caused by inhaling dust or fumes that contain beryllium. Once extracted and refined beryllium usual for use in electronics and chemical industries and in the manufacture of incandescent light bulbs. Now beryllium primarily used for the spacecraft industry. In addition to the industrial workers, the people who live in the neighborhood can also be exposed to distillery beriliosis.


CAUSE
Beryllium exposure mainly occurs through inhalation of beryllium dust and fumes or direct contact through broken skin. Inhalation of beryllium (Be) can cause symptoms of lung 2, namely acute chemical pneumonitis and granulomatous lung disease called chronic beryllium disease or beriliosis.

In acute beryllium disease, these metals act as direct chemical irritant, which causes a non-specific inflammatory reaction. With the increasing hygiene in industry, at this time of acute beryllium disease had disappeared. Beriliosis still found in beryllium processing industry, where the workers exposed to beryllium fumes or dust.

Beriliosis differ from other occupational diseases where lung problems only occur in people who are sensitive to beryllium, which is about 2% of those in contact with beryllium. This disease can occur even in those exposed to beryllium in a short time and new symptoms arise after 10-20 years.


SYMPTOMS
Patients with acute chemical pneumonitis, will experience a cough, respiratory problems and weight loss suddenly. The acute form can also be on the skin and eyes. In beriliosis abnormal tissue formed in the lung are accompanied by enlarged lymph nodes. In this situation, symptoms such as cough, breathing disorder and weight loss occurs gradually.

Other symptoms that may be found:
- Chest pain
- Joint pain
- Tired.


Diagnosis
To make a diagnosis beriliosis, must meet the following three criteria:

a history of beryllium exposure
positive results of the examination BeLPT (beryllium lymphocyte proliferation test) to blood or BAL (bronchoalveolar lavage)
the existence of non-caseating granulomas on lung biopsy.
If the results of BeLPT positive but a negative biopsy result, it is not said to suffer from beriliosis, only said to have been sensitized by beryllium.


TREATMENT
Indication of treatment done based on:

presence of symptoms
pulmonary function test results are abnormal
decline in lung function.
If the criteria are not met, then no need for treatment.

Corticosteroid treatment is chosen. There has been no agreement on the dose and duration of corticosteroid administration. Initially given prednisone per-oral (by mouth) at a dose of 20-40 mg / day for 4-6 weeks, then the dose is reduced according to clinical response occurs.

To patients who do not respond to corticosteroid administration, or patients who experienced serious side effects due to corticosteroid administration, given methotrexat. In later stages, it is recommended to undergo lung transplantation.