Federica Grosso1, Lorenza Randi, Alessandro Croce, Dario Mirabelli, Roberta Libener, Corrado Magnani, Donata Bellis, Mario Allegrina, Marinella Bertolotti, Daniela Degiovanni, Caterina Rinaudo. 1. aMesothelioma Unit, Department of Oncology bMesothelioma Unit, Department of Pathology cScientific Development Unit, SS Antonio and Biagio and Cesare Arrigo General Hospital dDepartment of Science and Technological Innovation, University of Piemonte Orientale, Alessandria eUnit of Cancer Epidemiology, University of Turin and CPO-Piemonte fASLTO1 Department of Pathology, Martini Hospital gInterdepartmental Center 'G. Scansetti', University of Turin, Turin hDepartment of Translational Medicine, University of Piemonte Orientale, Novara iMesothelioma Unit, Supportive and Palliative Care, Country Health Service, Casale Monferrato, Italy.
Abstract
PURPOSE: This exploratory study aimed to evaluate the presence of asbestos fibers in the biliary tract of patients living in an asbestos-polluted area using scanning electron microscopy. METHODS: Thin gallbladder sections were obtained from five patients who were operated on for gallbladder stones and the bile fluid of one of the patients was analyzed using variable-pressure scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy-dispersive spectroscopy. All patients were from Casale Monferrato, Italy, a well-known asbestos-polluted city, where the Eternit factory had operated since the beginning of the century until 1985. RESULTS: All the inorganic phases found in the gallbladder were analyzed for morphology and chemistry. Fibers and particles consistent with minerals defined by law as 'asbestos' were detected in three out of five patients. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that asbestos fibers can be found in the gallbladder of patients exposed to asbestos, although how they reach the biliary tract remains unknown. Further studies to confirm these results are under way.
PURPOSE: This exploratory study aimed to evaluate the presence of asbestos fibers in the biliary tract of patients living in an asbestos-polluted area using scanning electron microscopy. METHODS: Thin gallbladder sections were obtained from five patients who were operated on for gallbladder stones and the bile fluid of one of the patients was analyzed using variable-pressure scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy-dispersive spectroscopy. All patients were from Casale Monferrato, Italy, a well-known asbestos-polluted city, where the Eternit factory had operated since the beginning of the century until 1985. RESULTS: All the inorganic phases found in the gallbladder were analyzed for morphology and chemistry. Fibers and particles consistent with minerals defined by law as 'asbestos' were detected in three out of five patients. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that asbestos fibers can be found in the gallbladder of patients exposed to asbestos, although how they reach the biliary tract remains unknown. Further studies to confirm these results are under way.
Authors: Andrea Farioli; Kurt Straif; Giovanni Brandi; Stefania Curti; Kristina Kjaerheim; Jan Ivar Martinsen; Pär Sparen; Laufey Tryggvadottir; Elisabete Weiderpass; Guido Biasco; Francesco Saverio Violante; Stefano Mattioli; Eero Pukkala Journal: Occup Environ Med Date: 2017-11-13 Impact factor: 4.402