Immunomodulatory effects of occupational exposure to mancozeb.
The effects of occupational exposure to ethylene-bis-dithiocarbamate of manganese and zinc on the immune system were evaluated in a group of mancozeb-exposed manufacturers and controls. The immune system tests revealed the following: (a) lymphocyte proliferative responses triggered by different activators and mitogen-induced IL-2 production were higher in exposed subjects than in controls; (b) production of monocyte/macrophage-derived IL-1 and polyclonal IgG and IgM, by beta-lymphocytes, did not differ between exposed subjects and controls; (c) percentages and absolute numbers of total T-cells, T-helper cells, T-suppressor/cytotoxic cells, activated T-cells, total beta-cells, and natural killer cells were similar in exposed subjects and controls; (d) serum immunoglobulin classes and complement fractions were within the range of normality; and (e) rheumatoid factor and non-organ-specific serum autoantibodies were absent in exposed and control subjects. An increase in T-cell functional response was found in the exposed group, suggesting a slight immunomodulator effect of mancozeb in conditions of low-level, prolonged occupational exposure.
Colosio
C
C
Institute of Occupational Health of the University of Milan, Italy.
Barcellini
W
W
Maroni
M
M
Alcini
D
D
Bersani
M
M
Cavallo
D
D
Galli
A
A
Meroni
P
P
Pastorelli
R
R
Rizzardi
G P
GP
Soleo
L
L
Foà
V
V
D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational / Q000032:analysis; D002246:Carbon Disulfide / Q000097:blood / Q000652:urine; D005659:Fungicides, Industrial / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007136:Immunoglobulins / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000097:blood; D016131:Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000187:drug effects; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects*; D008297:Male; D008344:Maneb / Q000032:analysis / Q000276:immunology*; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D015038:Zineb / Q000032:analysis / Q000276:immunology*
D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational; D005659:Fungicides, Industrial; D007136:Immunoglobulins; D008344:Maneb; C013099:mancozeb; D002246:Carbon Disulfide; D015038:Zineb