Medical Issues:
Detection
Exposure to beryllium can lead to chronic beryllium disease (CBD), a painful scarring of the lung tissue. If you or a family member has been exposed to beryllium it is important to obtain as much information as possible about the detection of beryllium—related health problems.
Screening methods for beryllium disease include chest x—rays, a blood test, and a breathing test (pulmonary function test). The physician will ask questions about the patient's exposure and use a stethoscope to listen for abnormal breathing. A biopsy can reveal a particular type of scar called a granuloma, found in diseased lung or skin tissue. By far the most reliable test for detecting beryllium disease, however, is the beryllium lymphocyte proliferation test.
Beryllium lymphocyte proliferation test
The beryllium lymphocyte proliferation test (BeLPT) is a blood test that examines how disease—fighting cells known as lymphocytes react to beryllium. If these cells react strongly, then the BeLPT is called abnormal and indicates “beryllium sensitization,” an allergic reaction to beryllium (Medfacts, National Jewish and Medical Research Center).
The BeLPT identifies beryllium sensitization earlier and better than any other clinical test presently available, according to various studies (Significance of the Blood Lymphocyte Proliferation Test, Environmental Perspectives). It is used to improve clinical diagnostic accuracy and to correct mistaken diagnoses. Furthermore, it is very specific and has high predictive value for CBD.