title: Search for anti-laminin antibodies in the serum of workers exposed to cadmium, mercury vapour or lead.
abstract: Anti-laminin antibodies were sought for in the serum of workers exposed to mercury vapour (Hg, n = 58), lead (Pb, n = 38) or cadmium (Cd, n = 47). Thirty-one workers removed from Cd exposure for an average of eight years were also examined. Compared with control workers matched for age and socio-economic status, the prevalence of circulating anti-laminin antibodies was not increased in workers exposed to Hg (mean duration of exposure: 7.9 years and mean urinary excretion of Hg: 72 micrograms/g creatinine) nor in those exposed to Pb (mean duration of exposure: 10.6 years and mean Pb levels in blood: 535 micrograms/l). In contrast, anti-laminin antibodies were significantly more prevalent in Cd-exposed workers whose urinary Cd exceeded 20 micrograms/g creatinine. This observation was made in both currently exposed workers and in workers removed from Cd exposure (mean duration of exposure: 9.4 and 24.6 years and mean urinary Cd: 7.8 and 13.4 micrograms/g creatinine respectively). These autoantibodies were found in Cd workers with normal renal function as well as in those with increased proteinuria.
mesh_terms: D000372:Agglutination Tests; D000419:Albuminuria; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000032:analysis*; D002105:Cadmium Poisoning / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D006801:Humans; D007797:Laminin / Q000276:immunology*; D007855:Lead Poisoning / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D008297:Male; D008630:Mercury Poisoning / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D012177:Retinol-Binding Proteins / Q000652:urine
chemical_list: D001323:Autoantibodies; D007797:Laminin; D012177:Retinol-Binding Proteins