Immunologic Findings in Workers Formerly Exposed to 2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-Dioxin and Its Congeners

Abstract

One hundred ninety-two workers in a German pesticide factory who were exposed to polychlorinated dibenzodioxins and -furans (PCDD/PCDF) were investigated for former and present diseases and laboratory changes of the immune system. Moreover, in a subgroup of 29 highly exposed and 28 control persons, proliferation studies were performed. In addition to assays such as blood count, immunoglobulins, serum electrophoresis, monoclonal bands, surface markers, autoantibodies, and lymphocyte proliferation, two new methods, the rise of tetanus antibody concentration after vaccination and the in vitro resistance of lymphocytes to chromate, were used to diagnose the morphologic and functional state of the immune system. There was no stringent correlation of actual PCDD/PCDF concentrations with the occurrence of infections or with one of the immune parameters. In addition, outcomes of the tetanus vaccination and the chromate resistance test were not correlated with PCDD/PCDF. However, the chromate resistance of lymphocytes stimulated by phytohemagglutinin of highly exposed persons was significantly lower than that for the control group. These findings indicate that the function of lymphocytes can be stressed and possibly impaired by high exposure to PCDD/PCDF. Environ Health Perspect 1 06(Suppl 2):689-695 (1998). http.//ehpnetl.niehs.nih.gov/docs/1998/Suppl-2/689-695jung/abstract.html

Immunologic effects of dioxin: new results from Seveso and comparison with other studies.

“…Other reports showed no alterations in immunoglobulin levels (Hoffman et al 1986;Jennings et al 1988;Jung et al 1998;Marth et al 1995;Michalek et al 1999;Nagayama et al 2001). A slight positive increase in IgG levels was found in two studies Webb et al 1989).…”

“…These methods allow for the control of a limited number of confounding variables. Five studies used multivariable statistical models (Halperin et al 1998;Jung et al 1998;Michalek et al 1999;Neubert et al 2000;Ott et al 1994), but not all the potential confounders were considered in most of them.…”

The role of environmental estrogens and autoimmunity

“…Two cross-sectional studies suggest enhanced autoimmunity in TCDD-exposed individuals: in a Vietnam and in a UK study, TCDD exposure was associated with an increased positivity of ANA, concentration of circulating immune complexes and lymphocytes [75,76], while a larger study in a German pesticide-producing factory reported no correlation between dioxin concentration in blood lipids and autoantibody levels [77]. Two more recent reports also failed to demonstrate any induction of ANA in Japanese subjects intoxicated with TCDD [78] and in Koreans veterans exposed to Agent Orange [79].…”

Immunologic biomarkers in relation to exposure markers of PCBs and dioxins in Flemish adolescents (Belgium).

“…Accidental or occupational exposure as well as background exposure of the general population to PCBs and dioxins may affect the human immune system (7,8,(14)(15)(16)(17)(18). There is suggestive evidence that dioxin-like compounds influence the immune response by changing the CD4/CD8 ratio, the ratio of other lymphocyte populations, or the antibody production by B cells (4,7,8,15,16,18,19).…”