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Clinical and laboratory factors contributing to uninterpretable beryllium lymphocyte proliferation tests (BeLPT)
Author(s) -
Smith Derek E.,
Golden Ashley P.,
Stange Arthur W.,
Barker Elizabeth,
Mroz Margaret,
Barón Anna E.,
Ghosh Debashis,
Maier Lisa,
Cragle Donna,
Newman Lee S.
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
american journal of industrial medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.7
H-Index - 104
eISSN - 1097-0274
pISSN - 0271-3586
DOI - 10.1002/ajim.22842
Subject(s) - medicine , beryllium , lymphocyte , sensitization , immunology , nuclear physics , physics
Background The beryllium lymphocyte proliferation test (BeLPT), has become the principal clinical test for detecting beryllium sensitization and chronic beryllium disease. Uninterpretable BeLPT results can occur in a small but significant proportion of tests from poor lymphocyte growth (PG) or over proliferation of lymphocytes (OP). The clinical and laboratory causes of uninterpretable results are not known. Methods BeLPT data from the US Department of Energy‐supported Former Worker Screening Program were analyzed for a 10‐year period. Drivers of uninterpretable BeLPTs were investigated using multivariable models and classification techniques. Results Three participant attributes were significantly associated with PG, while OP showed no significant associations. Serum lot for the lymphocyte growth medium accounted for 21% of the variation in PG and 16% in OP. Conclusion Serum lots influence the likelihood of having uninterpretable BeLPT. To better understand uninterpretable results and possibly reduce their occurrence, additional laboratory‐related factors should be addressed.