An immunological study on patients with chronic cadmium disease
Williams, W.R.; Kagamimori, S.; Watanabe, M.; Shinmura, T.; Hagino, N.
Clinical and Experimental Immunology 53(3): 651-658
1983
ISSN/ISBN: 0009-9104 PMID: 6352099 Document Number: 199723
Parameters of humoral and cellular immunity were investigated in patients with chronic cadmium (Cd) disease and compared to values in an age matched control group. In the patient group, there was a slight reduction in white blood cells (WBC) although T and B lymphocyte ratios were normal. Red blood cell (RBC) counts were significantly reduced (P < 0.05). No significant differences in serum Ig concentrations were found. Blood Cd was significantly raised (P < 0.001) and urine Cd was elevated. In lymphocyte transformation tests, responses to Staphylococcus aureus phytohemagglutinin (PHA) and purified protein derivative (PPD) were not impaired and no evidence of Cd hypersensitivity was found. Responses in PHA and antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity tests were normal and nitro-blue tetrazolium (NBT) reduction was only slightly decreased in the patient group. .beta.2-Microglobulin (.beta.2M) was significantly raised in serum (P < 0.001) and urine (P < 0.001) of patients. Patient 3 day lymphocyte cultures produced significantly more .beta.2M than cultures from the control group (P < 0.01). .beta.2M was increased in lymphocyte cultures, from patient and control groups, containing PHA (P < 0.01), low Cd concentrations (P < 0.01) or PPD. The results indicate that chronic Cd disease is not associated with significant alterations in immunological parameters in vitro. The high .beta.2M levels associated with this disease may not result entirely from kidney damage but may in part be due to an increase in the release of .beta.2M from cells, induced by Cd.