ISSN:
1432-1246
Keywords:
Key words Mercury vapour
;
CD4+ T lymphocyte
;
CD4+CD45RA+ T lymphocyte
;
CD57+CD16+ NK cell
;
Occupational exposure
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Medicine
Notes:
Abstract Objectives: To examine the effects of metallic mercury vapour on the cellular and humoral immune system. Methods: We measured T lymphocyte and natural killer (NK) cell subpopulations, B lymphocytes, and serum immunoglobulins (i.e. IgG, IgA and IgM) together with total T (CD3+) lymphocytes and total lymphocytes in blood samples from 20 male, fluorescent-lamp makers (mercury workers) and the same number of gender-, age- and smoking-matched controls. Urinary concentrations of inorganic mercury (UHg) in the 20 workers ranged from 1.8 to 163.5 (mean 44.8) μg/l. They had been exposed to mercury vapour for 4 to 62 (mean 31) months. Results: Numbers of CD4+CD45RA+ (suppressor-inducer) T lymphocytes and total CD4+ T lymphocytes in the mercury workers were significantly smaller than those in the controls (paired-sample t-test, P 〈 0.01). The number of CD57+CD16+ NK cells was inversely correlated with UHg. Conclusion: It is suggested that numbers of CD4+CD45RA+ T lymphocytes and CD57+CD16+ NK cells are inversely affected by exposure to metallic mercury vapour in workers, with an average urinary inorganic mercury concentration of 45 μg/l being found.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s004200000173
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