Vineyard pesticide induced changes in the lungs: experimental studying on rabbits.

Our intention was to analyze changes in the lungs in rabbits induced by the inhalation of the Bordeaux Mixture aerosol and determination of the time necessary for development of changes that cause respiratory failure and eventually precancerous changes. To experimental rabbits aerosol was administred for 4 months. Lungs were examined pathohistologically and histochemically with rubeanic acid for copper detection. After 4 months of everyday inhalation lung tissue showed diffuse inflammation in all experimental animals, but without granulome formation and fibrosis. The bronchial epithelia showed basal hyperplasia and ciliocytophtoria without precancerous atypical squamous metaplasia. The development of centrilobular emphysema was also observed. Numerous macrophages within the lumen of bronchi, in the interstitium as well as those within the lung alveoli, contain granules with a positive reaction on copper. A four-month-period is not enough for inducing interstitial fibrosis or granuloma foration within the lung tissue, what some authors have found in experimental animals during their longer exposure in relation to humans, as well as in vineyard sprayers during their longer exposure at work, where cytologically can be found unusual mataplastic bronchi cells. At least a six-month period of exposure influenced by Bordeaux Mixture is thought to be the minimal period needed for development of changes in the lung tissue which can cause Respiratory Failure as well as unplastic expansion.