Susceptibility to infections and immune status in Inuit infants exposed to organochlorines.

Abstract

We investigated whether organochlorine exposure is associated with the incidence of infectious diseases in Inuit infants from Nunavik (Arctic Quebec, Canada). We compiled the number of infectious disease episodes during the first year of life for 98 breast-fed and 73 bottle-fed infants. Concentrations of organochlorines were measured in early breast milk samples and used as surrogates to prenatal exposure levels. Immune system parameters were determined in venous blood samples collected from infants at 3, 7, and 12 months of age. Otitis media was the most frequent disease, with 80. 0% of breast-fed and 81.3% of bottle-fed infants experiencing at least one episode during the first year of life. During the second follow-up period, the risk of otitis media increased with prenatal exposure to p,p'-DDE, hexachlorobenzene, and dieldrin. The relative risk (RR) for 4- to 7-month-old infants in the highest tertile of p, p'-DDE exposure as compared to infants in the lowest tertile was 1. 87 [95% confidence interval (CI), 1.07-3.26]. The RR of otitis media over the entire first year of life also increased with prenatal exposure to p,p'-DDE (RR, 1.52; CI, 1.05-2.22) and hexachlorobenzene (RR, 1.49; CI, 1.10-2.03). Furthermore, the RR of recurrent otitis media ( [Greater/equal to] 3 episodes) increased with prenatal exposure to these compounds. No clinically relevant differences were noted between breast-fed and bottle-fed infants with regard to immunologic parameters, and prenatal organochlorine exposure was not associated with immunologic parameters. We conclude that prenatal organochlorine exposure could be a risk factor for acute otitis media in Inuit infants. Images Figure 1

The role of environmental estrogens and autoimmunity

“…DDE, DDT's main metabolite, is one of the most ubiquitous toxins in foods. Prenatal exposure to DDT increases the risk of otitis media [35]; post-natal exposure to DDT has been linked to impairment of the upper respiratory tract immunity as evidenced by increased upper respiratory tract infections. It has been demonstrated that DDT diminished neutrophil functions and reduced mitogen-induced lymphocyte proliferation response [36].…”

Persistent organic pollutants and haematological markers in Greenlandic pregnant women: the ACCEPT sub-study

“…The toxic and immunomodulatory effects of POPs have previously been investigated, especially in relation to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) and perfluoroalkylated substances (PFASs) [3–5]. In addition, previous studies have reported the effects of POP exposure on the immune system in laboratory animals and humans, especially in connection with depressed immunity and reduced vaccination response [6–12]. Several biomarkers have been investigated in relation to POP exposure, in e.g.…”

Expressing urine from a gel disposable diaper for biomonitoring using phthalates as an example

“…This population has high exposure to PCBs and other organochlorines because of their high consumption of carnivorous fish and marine mammals. Various PCBs and DDE were measured in cord blood and/or maternal plasma at delivery (Dewailly et al, 2000;Dallaire et al, 2004) and in the infants' blood at follow-up (Dallaire et al, 2004). In both studies, the risk of otitis media during the first year of life increased with increasing prenatal exposure to PCBs and DDE (Dewailly et al, 2000;Dallaire et al, 2004), although most of the associations did not reach statistical significance.…”

“…Various PCBs and DDE were measured in cord blood and/or maternal plasma at delivery (Dewailly et al, 2000;Dallaire et al, 2004) and in the infants' blood at follow-up (Dallaire et al, 2004). In both studies, the risk of otitis media during the first year of life increased with increasing prenatal exposure to PCBs and DDE (Dewailly et al, 2000;Dallaire et al, 2004), although most of the associations did not reach statistical significance. In the latter study, the risk of all infections combined was significantly increased with increasing prenatal PCB level (Dallaire et al, 2004).…”

“…Two recent studies have reported on the immune effects of exposure to PCBs and DDE in humans (Dewailly et al, 2000;Dallaire et al, 2004). In both of these studies, Inuit infants were recruited and followed during the first year of life for the occurrence of infections of various kinds.…”