title: T and B lymphocyte function in anaesthetists.
abstract: Humoral and cell-mediated immune functions of eight male anaesthetists working in scavenged operating theatres and eight male internists were compared. No differences could be observed between the groups in the numbers of unstimulated, pokeweed mitogen (PMW)- and Staphylococcus aureus Cowan I (StaCw)-stimulated plaque-forming (immunoglobulin producing and secreting) cells or in IgG, IgM and IgA amounts secreted into the culture medium by stimulated lymphocytes. The proliferative responses of lymphocytes to phytohaemagglutinin, concanavalin A, PWM, StaCw and the purified protein derivative of tuberculin, and the function of the hydrocortisone-sensitive suppressor cells were also similar in both groups. These results do not show any harmful effects of operating theatre work in scavenged theatres on T and B lymphocyte responses in male anaesthetists.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000776:Anesthesiology; D000777:Anesthetics / Q000009:adverse effects; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D006462:Hemolytic Plaque Technique; D006801:Humans; D007396:Internship and Residency; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D008297:Male; D012306:Risk; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D000777:Anesthetics