[Value of biochemical and immunological studies in the diagnosis of silicosis].

A series of biochemical and immunological investigations was performed in a group of 33 silicosis patients and in 34 controls. The results obtained suggest future prospects of utilizing the following tests as silicotic-fibrosis markers: alpha 2-globulin and ceruloplasmin levels, activity of certain lysosomal enzymes (beta-galactosidase and beta-acetylglucosaminidase), IgM and IgG immunoglobulins, elastases, and the C4 component of the complement.