title: The immunologic profile of anesthetists.
abstract: Reports in the literature have suggested possible impairment of immunocompetence in operating theater personnel. In a group of 18 physician anesthesiologists the following were determined: hemoglobin concentration; white blood cell count; numbers of T, B, and natural killer (NK) lymphocytes; number of T-active cells; and numbers of T-helper/inducer (Th) and T-suppressor/cytotoxic (Ts) cells; and the Th/Ts ratio. Function of T lymphocytes was evaluated using the local xenogeneic graft-versus-host reaction and spontaneous suppressor or helper activity of T cells. The same parameters were determined in a group of 18 age- and sex-matched healthy controls. It was found that no matter what their age or how long they have been engaged in anesthetic practice, anesthetists show no immunosuppression as evidenced by these parameters.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Beilinson Medical Center, Petah Tikva, Israel.
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Ziv
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Shohat
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Baniel
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ventura
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Levy
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dintsman
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000776:Anesthesiology; D001402:B-Lymphocytes; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007121:Immunocompetence; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000276:immunology*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes