The level of some serum proteins and lymphocyte count in persons exposed to the action of lead during work. Report I
Jaremin, B.
Bulletin of the Institute of Maritime and Tropical Medicine in Gdynia 34(3-4): 181-188
1983
ISSN/ISBN: 0324-8542 PMID: 6681362 Document Number: 199133
80 persons, aged 22 to 62, were examined clinically. Tests were made to determine the levels of total protein, immunoglobulins IgG, IgM and IgA, leukocytes and lymphocytes. The group included 20 persons exposed to the action of lead for a number of years, with biochemical traits of lead poisoning, 30 persons exposed to the action of lead but with no biochemical traits of lead poisoning, and 30 healthy persons not exposed to the action of lead during work. The levels of serum immunoglobulins G and M and lymphocyte count were reduced in the first group compared with the remaining two groups. The differences were statistically significant. According to the author, the process described indicates a suppressive lead action on the immunological response of the body. Besides other components of the immunological system, B and T lymphocyte are probably involved in the process.