title: Assessment of selected B cells populations in the workers of X-ray departments.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Workers of X-ray departments are occupationally exposed to long-term low levels of ionizing radiation (LLIR), which may affect their humoral immunity. The aim of the study was to assess the influence of LLIR on the number and proportion of B cells (CD19+), B1 cells (CD5+CD19+) and memory B cells (CD27+CD19+) in peripheral blood of such workers.
  
  
  METHODS
  In the study group of 47 X-ray departments workers and the control group consisting of 38 persons, the number and percentage of CD19+, CD5+CD19+, CD27+CD19+ cells as well as CD5+CD19+/CD19+ and CD27+CD19+/CD19+ cell ratios were assessed using flow cytometry. Additionally, the study group was divided into 2 groups by the length of employment below and over 15 years and analysis adjusted for age and smoking habit was performed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The total number of CD19+ cells showed significant increase in the group of workers in comparison with the persons from the control group, whereas the percentage of CD5+CD19+ cells as well as CD27+CD19+/CD19+ and CD5+CD19+/CD19+ cell ratios were lower. Percentage, number of CD5+CD19+ cells and CD5+CD19+/CD19+ cell ratio were significantly lower in the workers with length of employment longer than 15 years in comparison with those employed below 15 years. Moreover, we found positive associations between the number of CD19+ cells and employment as well as smoking habit, whereas the number of CD5+CD19+ cells was positively associated with cigarette smoking alone. Percentage of CD5+CD19+ cells as well as CD5+CD19+/CD19+ and CD27+CD19+/CD19+ cell ratios were negatively correlated with employment.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The study suggests association between the suppressive influence of low level ionizing radiation on circulating in peripheral blood, especially of B1 cells as well as of memory B cells, in workers of X-ray units, which is adverse in relation to microbiological threat.
authors: Department of Medical Microbiology, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland, pklucinski@sum.edu.pl.
authors: Piotr
authors: P
authors: Kłuciński
authors: Bogdan
authors: B
authors: Mazur
authors: Łukasz
authors: Ł
authors: Sędek
authors: Małgorzata
authors: M
authors: Aptekorz
authors: Paweł
authors: P
authors: Cieślik
authors: Antoni H
authors: AH
authors: Hrycek
authors: Gayane
authors: G
authors: Martirosian
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D016175:B-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000528:radiation effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D018655:Lymphocyte Count; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D011839:Radiation, Ionizing; D011872:Radiology Department, Hospital; D012907:Smoking / Q000276:immunology; D013997:Time Factors; D055815:Young Adult