Objective: We hypothesized that beryllium (Be) might persist in lung granulomas in patients with chronic beryllium disease (CBD).
Methods: A total of 33 Be-exposed ceramics workers underwent transbronchial biopsy. They were classified based on histopathology and Be-lymphocyte proliferation test as CBD or other categories. Lung tissue sections were analyzed using secondary ion mass spectroscopy.
Results: Be was detected in the lungs of all Be-exposed groups. Be levels were increased within the granulomas of patients with CBD compared with the Be levels outside granulomas. Notably, Be was detectable in the lungs of CBD patients who had ceased exposure to Be an average of 9 years previously.
Conclusions: Be was detected in the lungs of all Be-exposed subjects, with the highest levels of persistent Be inside CBD lung granulomas. Be antigen persistence may help explain the chronicity of this granulomatous disorder.