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Use of Laboratory Tests in Occupational and Environmental Lung Diseases

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A Clinical Guide to Occupational and Environmental Lung Diseases

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Abstract

This article reviews and comments various laboratory tests that are commonly used in the investigation and assessment of environmental and occupational lung diseases affecting both the lung parenchyma per se as well as the airways and caused by exposure to various organic and inorganic materials. These conditions include asbestosis and silicosis, asthma, and hypersensitivity pneumonitis. The tests that are reviewed are (1) general lung function tests: lung volumes, CO diffusion, exercise testing; (2) specialized lung function tests: assessment of nonspecific bronchial responsiveness with methacholine and other agents, serial assessments of airway caliber with peak expiratory flows; specific inhalation tests; (3) assessment of airway inflammation by induced sputum and exhaled NO. The clinical indications and methodology of these tests are presented and discussed.

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Acknowledgement

The author sincerely thanks Kathe Lieber for reviewing the manuscript.

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  1. Department of Chest Medicine, Université de Montréal, Hôpital du Sacré-Coeur de Montréal, 5400 West Gouin Blvd, Montreal, QC, H4J 1C5, Canada

    Jean-Luc Malo

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  1. Jean-Luc Malo
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Correspondence to Jean-Luc Malo .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Pulmonary, Allergy and, Critical Care Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, 330 Trent Drive, Hanes House, Rm 105-B, Durham, 27705, North Carolina, USA

    Yuh-Chin T. Huang

  2. , Human Studies Facility, Environmental Public Health Division, 104 Mason Farm Road, Chapel Hill, 27711, North Carolina, USA

    Andrew J. Ghio

  3. Department of Medicine, Division of Environmental and, National Jewish Health, 1400 Jackson, Denver, 80206, Colorado, USA

    Lisa A. Maier

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Malo, JL. (2012). Use of Laboratory Tests in Occupational and Environmental Lung Diseases. In: Huang, YC., Ghio, A., Maier, L. (eds) A Clinical Guide to Occupational and Environmental Lung Diseases. Respiratory Medicine. Humana Press, Totowa, NJ. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-62703-149-3_3

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