Experimental aerogenic pulmonary berylliosis in rabbits.

The dynamics of pulmonary changes produced by a prolonged daily administration of 1 g per cent solution of BeSO4 in aerosols was pursued by current histopathological methods in periodically sacrificed rabbits. A progressive constitution of beryliosic granulomas involving intralobular and interlobular areas was observed. The epithelioids and giant cells were present in variable proportions. Concomitantly, a cellular thickening of alveolar walls and perivascular cuffs was noted, as well as an intercellular reticulin fibrillogenesis. The intratracheal three-fold administration of a 0.3 g per cent solution of BeSO4 induced a more rapid formation of berylliosic nodules with the same characters. The relation between the cell accumulation and reticulin fibrillogenesis was morphometrically analysed and statistically verified as pertinent correlated phenomena.