Elevated blood lead and cadmium levels associated with chronic infections among non-smokers in a cross-sectional analysis of NHANES data

Abstract

BackgroundExperimental animal studies, in vitro experiments, and clinical assessments have shown that metal toxicity can impair immune responses. We analyzed data from a United States representative National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) to explore associations between chronic infections and elevated blood concentrations of lead and cadmium among non-smoking NHANES participants.MethodsNHANES data from 1999 to 2012 were examined and weighted to represent the United States population. Multivariable logistic regression was used to estimate adjusted odds ratios (AOR) and 95 % confidence intervals (CI) for heavy metal associations with seropositivity for Helicobacter pylori, Toxoplasma gondii, and Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infections.ResultsAvailable 2-year survey cycles for infection seroprevalence varied by pathogen, from 1 to 7 cycles. Available sample size, disease seroprevalence, and participant age range also varied by pathogen of interest. After controlling for demographic characteristics and general health condition, an elevated blood lead level above the survey population median was significantly associated with seropositivity for all three pathogens (AORs = 1.2–1.5). In addition, an elevated blood cadmium level above the median was significantly associated with HBV (AOR = 1.5; 95 % CI = 1.2–2.0) and H. pylori (AOR = 1.5; 95 % CI = 1.2–1.7) seropositivity. Age-specific analyses for H. pylori and T. gondii indicated stronger associations among children under 13 years of age, particularly for lead exposure and H. pylori seropositivity, and weaker associations among those over 35 years of age.ConclusionsThe results of this cross-sectional human health survey suggest that the immunological effects of lead and cadmium toxicity may be associated with an increased susceptibility to chronic infections.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12940-016-0113-4) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Arsenic, Cadmium and Lead Exposure and Immunologic Function in Workers in Taiwan

“…Studies have found that exposure to heavy metals and other trace elements may compromise various aspects of the immune system. Among these elements, arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) have received more attention and investigations [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 ]. Cell culture study shows that the chemotherapeutic agent arsenic trioxide could inhibit early T cell cytokine production.…”

“…Limited studies have observed effects of trace elements on humans using immunologic indicators. The cross-sectional study using National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) data from 1999 to 2012 showed that elevated blood levels of Pb and Cd might increase the susceptibility to chronic infections [ 6 ]. Workers with higher Pb exposure may have depressed T helper lymphocytes, IgG, IgM and C3, C4 complement levels, chemotaxis, and random migration of neutrophils [ 9 ].…”

Elevated Blood Cadmium and Lead Levels in Chronic Pruritic Dermatoses

“…Lead inhalation and ingestion is attributed to tobacco, construction, hazardous waste, and industrial sites making batteries, ammunition, and roofing materials, whereas cadmium may be ingested from vegetables contaminated with fertilizer (Krueger and Wade, 2016). Even chronic, low dose heavy metal exposure poses a substantial public health concern because chronic inflammatory skin diseases are exacerbated with pollution exposure (Araviiskaia et al, 2019;Wang and Fowler, 2008).…”

Plasma concentration of cadmium, lead and chromium in smokers and nonsmokers in Tripoli, Libya: A comparative study

“…It is believed that smoking contributes in increasing the blood concentration of some heavy metals such as cadmium (Cd) [4,5], lead (Pb) [4] and chromium (Cr) [6]. Many heavy metals are known to have adverse impact on human's health, even at relatively low-level exposures [7], and are suspected of causing cancer and many other life-threatening diseases such as cardiovascular diseases [8].…”

“…For Cd, The major exposure sources in humans are food consumption and smoking [7], and since lungs absorb cadmium better than the gastrointestinal tract [9], it is expected that there is higher exposure to cadmium from smoking rather from food consumption. Through smoking, cadmium enters the lungs then builds up in tissues, particularly the liver and kidneys [10].…”