title: [Changes of T lymphocyte subsets in workers with long-term benzene exposure].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To observe the changes of T-lymphocyte subsets in workers with long-term benzene exposure, and further understand the benzene's lymphotoxicity.
  
  
  METHODS
  Blood was sampled from 44 patients with chronic benzene poisoning of different degrees, (mild 22 patients, moderate 14, severe 8) respectively. Twenty-two health benzene exposed workers, and 94 health unexposed workers served as normal control. A total of the phenotype (CD4, CD8) of T lymphocyte in peripheral blood was analyzed by indirect immunofluorescence assay.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Lymphocyte subset analysis showed significantly decreased CD4(+) T lymphocytes, CD4(+)/CD8(+) ratio, except CD8(+) T lymphocytes in benzene exposed groups (P<0.05). Among the four benzene-exposed groups, CD4(+) T lymphocytes and CD4(+)/CD8(+) ratio showed no difference (P>0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The primary changes of T-lymphocyte subsets in workers following benzene long-term exposure are the decrease of CD4(+)%, but the changes are not correlated with haematopoietic injury.
authors.affiliation: Occupational Department of Guangzhou Municipal Twelfth People's Hospital, Guangzhou 510620, China.
authors.forename: Jia-yu
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Wei
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.forename: Wei-wei
authors.initials: WW
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Ling-zhen
authors.initials: LZ
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Jin-ming
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Li-jian
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Yang-qiu
authors.initials: YQ
authors.lastname: Li
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001554:Benzene / Q000506:poisoning*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016176:T-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D001554:Benzene