[Analysis of subgroups of lymphocyte in peripheral blood among dermatitis medicamentosa-like of trichloroethylene patients and healthy exposed workers].

OBJECTIVE

To study the effects of trichloroethylene (TCE) to lymphocyte subsets among exposed workers, and explore the early immunological effect biomarkers for prevention of hypersensitivity dermatitis induced by TCE.

METHODS

Twenty-eight patients with TCE-induced hypersensitivity dermatitis, 56 healthy TCE-exposed workers from the same workshops with patients, and 28 comparable unexposed controls were recruited in this study. The total lymphocyte count and the major lymphocyte subsets including T cell, CD4(+) T cell, CD8(+) T cell, B cell, NK cell in peripheral blood were measured by Flow Cytometer analysis and Standard blood count analysis.

RESULTS

The total lymphocyte count and T cell, CD4(+) T cell, CD8(+) T cell among patients (median at 2810.00, 1846.17, 831.87, 904.05 cell counts/µl blood) were significantly increased compared with TCE-exposed workers (median at 2101.00, 1218.59, 643.87, 482.81 cell counts/µl blood, Z = -3.19, -4.96, -3.22, -4.99, P < 0.001) and unexposed controls (median at 1900.00, 1223.60, 558.60, 325.80 cell counts/µl blood, Z = -3.30, -4.46, -3.45, -5.03, P < 0.001), the NK cell and CD3(+)CD4(+)/CD3(+)CD8(+) ratio among patients (median at 255.50 cell counts/µl blood and 1.11) were significantly decreased compared with the unexposed controls (median at 642.60 cell counts/µl blood and 1.96, Z = -3.56 and -3.11, P < 0.01). Meanwhile, for the exposed workers, the CD8(+) T cell (median at 482.81 cell counts/µl blood) was significantly increased and the NK cell and CD3(+)CD4(+)/CD3(+)CD8(+) ratio (median at 318.76 cell counts/µl blood and 1.27) were significantly decreased compared with unexposed controls (median at 325.80 and 642.60 cell counts/µl blood and 1.96, Z = -2.63, -3.52, -2.29, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Occupational exposure to TCE could affect the lymphocyte subsets, especially T cell and NK cell. The total lymphocyte count, T cell and CD4(+) T cell might be effect biomarkers for subjects with hypersensitivity dermatitis among TCE-exposed workers.