Exogenic fibrosing alveolitis in melters of zincum alloys

Abstract

The authors studied conditions of origin, development features, clinical manifestations of exogenic fibrosing alveolitis, immune state, free radical oxidation and central hemodynamics. Findings are that exogenic fibrosing alveolitis develops mostly in individuals who overcame acute foundry fever, with prolonged exposure to fumes with high zincum oxide content. In most cases, the disease has chronic (latent) course, prone to progress and development of respiratory failure and pulmonary hypertension. In certain cases, acute exogenic fibrosing alveolitis develops with fever, intense intoxication, pulmonary hypertension, hemoptysis and massive X-ray changes in lungs parenchyma and interstitium. Exogenic fibrosing alveolitis due to exposure to zincum oxide fumes has specific features connected with nonpurulent inflammation of interstitial respiratory units, alveols, terminal and respiratory bronchioli with outcome of fibrosis, disorders of alveolary-capillary diffustion, angioarchitecture of lesser circulation, pulmonary hypertension formation, changes in right and left part of heart, central hemodynamics. Major pathogenetic mechanism of exogenic fibrosing alveolitis is activation of free radical oxidation and depletion of antioxidant defence, nonspecific B-activation and depression of T-unit of immunity.