[Serum levels of immunoglobulins and C 3 component of complement in persons occupationally exposed to chlorinated pesticides].

Serum concentrations of IgA, M, G and C-3 complement have been compared between 51 men occupationally exposed to chlorinated pesticides and 28 men of the control group. IgG has been found to be statistically significantly increased, whereas the concentration of IgM and C-3 complement--lower in the whole test group, as compared to the control group. These protein changes have been particularly strongly marked in the subgroup exposed to polycyclic chlorinated hydrocarbons. In the authors' opinion, the elevated IgG concentration in the occupationally exposed subgroup may result from immunostimulating effects of chlorinated pesticides, thus the decreased C-3 component of the complement in the serum in the test groups seems to be indicative of immune-complexes contribution to the pathogenesis of diseases resulting from the occupational exposure concerned. Furthermore, the authors suggest that the cyclic conformation of chlorinated pesticides may affect the pathomechanism of those diseases.