[Lymphocyte subpopulations in patients with Yusho].
To investigate chronic immune effects of polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) and polychlorinated dibenzofuran (PCDF), lymphocyte subpopulations in peripheral blood were studied in 156 patients with Yusho in 2008. Significant relationships between the concentrations of 2,3,4,7,8-pentachlorodibenzofuran (PeCDF) in the blood and the absolute densities of the total lymphocyte population, or of the T-cell subpopulation reactive with CD4 were observed, while there was no correlation between the blood PCB levels and the densities of total lymphocyte population, or CD4, CD8 or CD20 positive cells in peripheral blood. Mean absolute densities of total lymphocyte population and T-cell subpopulation expressing CD4 were significantly increased in the Yusho patients with high 2,3,4,7, 8-PeCDF levels compared with those in the patients with low 2,3,4,7,8-PeCDF levels. We conclude that the increase of CD4 positive cells in patients with Yusho may be associated with blood 2,3,4,7,8-PeCDF levels.
Tsuji
Hiroshi
H
Department of Internal Medicine, Kitakyushu-Tsuyazaki Hospital, Fukuoka 811-3307, Japan.
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D004147:Dioxins / Q000506:poisoning*; D005260:Female; D005506:Food Contamination; D006801:Humans; D016131:Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011078:Polychlorinated Biphenyls / Q000506:poisoning*
D004147:Dioxins; D011078:Polychlorinated Biphenyls