Fiber counting and analysis in the diagnosis of asbestos-related disease**

摘要: Analysis of numbers and types asbestos fibers present in lung tissue may provide insights into the pathogenesis asbestos-induced disease, as well diagnostic information concerning relationship a given lesion to exposure. This type analysis requires extraction bodies from tissue, preferably by means digestion-and-concentration technique, examination with combination electron optical techniques, including diffraction energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy. The permits definitive identification fibers. Asbestos have been shown contain no matter what population they are found in, but appear be value ascertaining unusual exposure only when very large numbers. Numbers markedly underestimate total lung. In patients general population, mean number is about 1×10 6 /g dry lung; this number, more than 80 per cent chrysotile less 5 μm long. Patients who pleural plaques same fibers, their lungs 50-fold increase long thin amphibole commercial origin. asbestosis most mesothelioma 100 200×10 fibers/g grade appears related fiber content. Occasional develop mesotheliomas much smaller burdens. Both benign malignant diseases closely presence pulmonary burden suggests that asbestos-related disease not merely present, factors such size equally important.