title: Mercury-specific lymphocytes: an indication of mercury allergy in man.
abstract: In this study, 18 patients with oral lichen planus (OLP), adjacent to amalgam fillings, were tested in vitro with an optimized lymphocyte proliferation test, MELISA (memory lymphocyte immunostimulation assay) and with a patch test. Twenty subjects with amalgam fillings but without oral discomfort and 12 amalgam-free subjects served as controls. The results show that patients with OLP have significantly higher lymphocyte reactivity to inorganic mercury, a corrosion product of amalgam, compared to control groups. Removal of amalgam fillings resulted in the disappearance of oral mucosal changes, thus indicating a causal relationship. Positive responses to phenylmercury (phenyl-Hg), a bactericidal agent in root fillings and in pharmaceutical preparations, were also noted in the oral lichen group but not in the control groups. Thus, low-grade chronic exposure to mercury may induce a state of systemic sensitization as verified by Hg-specific lymphocyte reactivity in vitro.
authors.affiliation: Astra AB, Safety Assessment, Södertälje, Sweden.
authors.forename: V D
authors.initials: VD
authors.lastname: Stejskal
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Forsbeck
authors.forename: K E
authors.initials: KE
authors.lastname: Cederbrant
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Asteman
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003723:Dental Amalgam / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000276:immunology*; D007156:Immunologic Memory; D017676:Lichen Planus, Oral / Q000276:immunology; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000187:drug effects; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D008628:Mercury / Q000276:immunology* / Q000494:pharmacology; D008875:Middle Aged; D012882:Skin Tests
chemical_list: D003723:Dental Amalgam; D008628:Mercury