title: A semi‑automated FISH‑based micronucleus‑centromere assay for biomonitoring of hospital workers exposed to low doses of ionizing radiation.
abstract: The aim of the present study was to perform cytogenetic analysis by means of a semi‑automated micronucleus‑centromere assay in lymphocytes from medical radiation workers. Two groups of workers receiving the highest occupational doses were selected: 10 nuclear medicine technicians and 10 interventional radiologists/cardiologists. Centromere‑negative micronucleus (MNCM‑) data, obtained from these two groups of medical radiation workers were compared with those obtained in matched controls. The blood samples of the matched controls were additionally used to construct a 'low‑dose' (0‑100 mGy) MNCM‑ dose‑response curve to evaluate the sensitivity and suitability of the micronucleus‑centromere assay as an 'effect' biomarker in medical surveillance programs. The physical dosimetry data of the 3 years preceding the blood sampling, based on single or double dosimetry practices, were collected for the interpretation of the micronucleus data. The in vitro radiation results showed that for small sized groups, semi‑automated scoring of MNCM‑ enables the detection of a dose of 50 mGy. The comparison of MNCM‑ yields in medical radiation workers and control individuals showed enhanced MNCM‑ scores in the medical radiation workers group (P=0.15). The highest MNCM‑ scores were obtained in the interventional radiologists/cardiologists group, and these scores were significantly higher compared with those obtained from the matched control group (P=0.05). The higher MNCM‑ scores observed in interventional radiologists/cardiologists compared with nuclear medicine technicians were not in agreement with the personal dosimetry records in both groups, which may point to the limitation of 'double dosimetry' procedures used in interventional radiology/cardiology. In conclusion, the data obtained in the present study supports the importance of cytogenetic analysis, in addition to physical dosimetry, as a routine biomonitoring method in medical radiation workers receiving the highest occupational radiation burdens.
authors.affiliation: Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Ghent University, B‑9000 Ghent, Belgium.
authors.forename: Anne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Vral
authors.affiliation: Scientific Committee Centre de Services Interentreprises, External Service For Prevention and Protection at Work, B‑1200 Brussels, Belgium.
authors.forename: Veerle
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Decorte
authors.affiliation: Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Ghent University, B‑9000 Ghent, Belgium.
authors.forename: Julie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Depuydt
authors.affiliation: Institute of Experimental and Clinical Research, Molecular Imaging, Radiotherapy and Oncology Unit, Catholic University of Louvain, St‑Luc Clinical University, B‑1200 Brussels, Belgium.
authors.forename: André
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Wambersie
authors.affiliation: Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Ghent University, B‑9000 Ghent, Belgium.
authors.forename: Hubert
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Thierens
mesh_terms: D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002503:Centromere / Q000235:genetics*; D004307:Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D006801:Humans; D017404:In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence / Q000379:methods*; D015162:Micronucleus Tests / Q000379:methods*; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D010564:Personnel, Hospital; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D011839:Radiation, Ionizing; D011874:Radiometry