Humoral and cellular immunity rates in chemical plant workers employed in the production of liquid pesticides.

In order to assess the immunological system of the chemical plant workers certain rates of cellular and humoral immunity were estimated. The study group was composed of 19 males employed in the production of liquid pesticides, and 18 females performing ancillary jobs and handling closed containers. They were alternatively exposed to phosphoroorganic compounds and pyrethroides, and to chlorinated hydrocarbons, carbamates, nitrophenols and organic solvents, however exposure to the latter was lower. Chronic bronchitis was observed in 7 (37%) males and 4 (22%) females. Serum concentrations of immunoglobulins G, A and M, complement protein Cs, and circulating immune complexes were estimated. The peripheral blood leukocyte count and percentage, the granulocyte adherence and phagocytic activity, spontaneous NBT-dye reduction as well as cytochemical reactions to alkaline and acid phosphatase, beta-glucuronidase, myeloperoxidase and catalase of neutrophils were evaluated; the lymphocyte subpopulations CD3, CD4, CD8, CD16 were also estimated. As compared to controls, a significantly increased serum IgG concentration was found, together with elevated IgM in males and IgA in females. The leukocyte count in males was significantly higher. A considerable decrease in the percentage of neutrophils was accompanied by a significantly greater spontaneous NBT-dye reduction in both groups. Neutrophil adherence impairment was observed in males. Cytochemical reactions to beta-glucuronidase and catalase in both sexes, to alkaline and acid phosphatase in females, and to myeloperoxidases in males were significantly lowered, whereas the reaction to acid phosphatase in males was significantly enhanced. The percentages of lymphocytes CD3, CD4 and the CD4/CD8 ratio were significantly decreased.