[Scleroderma cluster among type-setters].
The etiology of systemic sclerosis, probably multifactorial, is not yet well defined. Among the many endogenous and exogenous factors probably involved, occupational elements may play an essential role. Here we report a cluster of local scleroderma and systemic sclerosis, which occurred in a small group of typography workers exposed to polyvinyl-acetate glues, containing up to 1% of vinyl-acetate. Vinyl acetate exposure has been associated with acidification of the intracellular environment, which is thought to produce cytotoxic and/or mitogenic responses that are the sentinel pharmacodynamic steps toward cancer. Autoantibody production in systemic sclerosis depends upon intracellular acidification. More studies are needed to clarify the relationship between vinyl acetate exposure and scleroderma.
Magnavita
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Istituto di Medicina del Lavoro, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Roma. nicolamagnavita@tiscali.it
D001870:Book Industry; D006801:Humans; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012594:Scleroderma, Localized / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012595:Scleroderma, Systemic / Q000453:epidemiology*