title: Anti-laminin antibodies in workers exposed to mercury vapour.
abstract: In 62 male workers exposed to mercury vapour for 5.5 years on average, the results of several renal parameters were not significantly different from those found in a well-matched control group (n = 60). Circulating anti-laminin antibodies were found, however, in 8 workers exposed to mercury vapour but in none of the control workers. These results suggest that occupational exposure to mercury vapour may lead to immune dysfunction in a certain percentage of the exposed population. Whether such a finding is predictive of the occurrence of an immune glomerulonephritis remains to be evaluated.
mesh_terms: D000906:Antibodies / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D007797:Laminin / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D008628:Mercury / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000097:blood / Q000652:urine; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000276:immunology*; D011507:Proteinuria; D012177:Retinol-Binding Proteins / Q000652:urine
chemical_list: D000906:Antibodies; D007797:Laminin; D012177:Retinol-Binding Proteins; D008628:Mercury