Immunological humoral responsiveness in men occupationally exposed to lead.

Abstract

On the basis of literature the hypothesis of the effect of lead upon humoral, immunological responsiveness in the adult men was examined. The examinations comprised 77 men occupationally exposed to lead of high concentration and 50 persons not exposed to this metal in their work. In the group of many years' occupational lead exposure, especially with lead-poisoning traits, an immunosuppressive effect of lead on humoral responsiveness was found. It was pronounced in peripheral B lymphocytes pool reduction and IgG and IgM serum immunoglobulins titres decrease as well as in the decrease of the specific antibodies (IgG) production--after antityphoid immunisation.