[Analysis for the titer of plasma antibody to heat stress protein 70 in workers exposed to benzene].
OBJECTIVE
To explore the titer of plasma antibody against heat stress protein 70 (HSP70) in workers exposed to benzene and its possible relationship to their health.


METHODS
Forty-two workers exposed to more than 40 mg/m(3) of benzene were selected as a high exposure group, 50 of workers exposed to less than 40 mg/m(3) as a low exposure group, and 42 unexposed as a control group. Their plasma antibody against HSP70 was determined with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Analysis was conducted to study the relationship between it and other factors.


RESULTS
Proportion of plasma positive antibody to HSP70 with a titer of 1:20 was significantly higher in high exposure group (26.2%) than that in controls (9.5%). Moreover, prevalence of adverse symptoms and positive signs, and level of lipid peroxide were all significantly higher in high exposure group with positive antibody to HSP70 than those with negative antibody.


CONCLUSIONS
It was concluded that the titer of plasma antibody to HSP70 had close relation with the health of workers exposed to benzene.
Chen
S
S
Institute of Occupational Medicine, Tongji Medical University, Wuhan, 430030, China.
Dong
M
M
Zhu
H
H
Wu
T
T
Wang
R
R
Xiao
C
C
He
H
H
D000328:Adult; D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000097:blood*; D001554:Benzene / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D018840:HSP70 Heat-Shock Proteins / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D008054:Lipid Peroxides / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*
D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational; D001323:Autoantibodies; D018840:HSP70 Heat-Shock Proteins; D008054:Lipid Peroxides; D001554:Benzene