title: [Chronic exposure to inhalation anesthetics and immunity].
abstract: The existence of a professional disease caused by exposure to general anesthetics has been reported by a number of studies, but opinions still differ as to the effective implications of this type of exposure. The aim of the present study was to analyse alterations in cellular and humoral immunity in anesthetists regularly exposed to general anesthetics. Regression analysis showed that IgA and NK lymphocytes were significantly increased whereas total T lymphocytes reduced in parallel with age and length of service. It can therefore be supposed that the increase in IgA might suggest chronic liver disease, while alterations in the lymphocyte populations, even if closely associated to chronic exposure leading to the hypothesis of a cause-and-effect relationship, do not alter immune system functions since they are similar to those that occur with ageing.
authors.affiliation: USL RM 10 Ospedale S. Camillo De Lellis, Roma.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: De Medici
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Damiani
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Consoli
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Camilli Giammei
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Mannella
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Purpura
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Rosci
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: De Nicola
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Piroli
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Colangeli
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000769:Anesthesia, Inhalation; D000777:Anesthetics / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000917:Antibody Formation / Q000187:drug effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007111:Immunity, Cellular / Q000187:drug effects*; D008297:Male; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D009873:Operating Rooms; D012189:Retrospective Studies
chemical_list: D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational; D000777:Anesthetics
vernacular_title: Esposizione cronica agli anestetici inalatori ed immunità.