Logo Medical Science Monitor

Call: +1.631.470.9640
Mon - Fri 10:00 am - 02:00 pm EST

Contact Us

Logo Medical Science Monitor Logo Medical Science Monitor Logo Medical Science Monitor

27 October 2008

Delayed effects of sulfur mustard poisoning on CD4+ and CD8+ lymphocytes in Iranian veterans 25 years after exposure

Hassan MohammadhoseiniakbariA, Mostafa GhaneiG, Alireza EajaziCE, Zahra MohammadiB, Laleh Daftari BesheliF

Med Sci Monit 2008; 14(11): CR580-583 :: ID: 869446

Abstract

Background
Sulfur mustard is a chemical warfare agent that produces cellular damage via alkylation and protein cross-linking. Sulfur mustard affects the skin, lungs, and eyes, as well as the gastrointestinal, endocrinal, and hematologic systems. We studied the potential delayed toxic effects of sulfur mustard on white blood cells and some of its derivatives including polymorphonuclear lymphocytes and lymphocytes (CD4+ and CD8+) among Iranian veterans, approximately 25 years after exposure.
Material and Method
One hundred thirteen sulfur mustard-poisoned veterans registered for this prospective study. Hematologic, immunophenotyping, and flow cytometric evaluations were done to samples from patients as well as 20 healthy age- and sex-matched control volunteers. Hematologic and immunologic variables were compared between both groups of subjects. Values for P less than.05 were considered statistically significant.
Results
Total white blood cell count and percentage of polymorphonuclear lymphocytes were significantly higher in sulfur-mustard-exposed veterans than in control subjects (P=0.008 and <0.001). The percentages of total and CD4+ lymphocytes were significantly lower in sulfur-mustard-exposed veterans than they were in control subjects (P=0.008 and P<0.001). CD8+ lymphocyte percentage and CD4+/CD8+ ratio were not significantly different between the 2 groups.
Conclusions
Severe exposure to sulfur mustard may cause long-term damage to the immune system in humans. CD4+ T cells were significantly lower in persons exposed to sulfur mustard. However, there was no statistically significant between-group difference regarding CD8+ T cells. Impaired immunity may be responsible for the increased risk of infections in these patients.

Keywords: Time Factors, Occupational Exposure, Iran, Mustard Gas - poisoning, CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes - drug effects, Veterans - statistics & numerical data, CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes - drug effects

Add Comment 0 Comments

Editorial

01 March 2024 : Editorial  

Editorial: First Regulatory Approvals for CRISPR-Cas9 Therapeutic Gene Editing for Sickle Cell Disease and Transfusion-Dependent β-Thalassemia

Dinah V. Parums

DOI: 10.12659/MSM.944204

Med Sci Monit 2024; 30:e944204

0:00

In Press

18 Mar 2024 : Clinical Research  

Sexual Dysfunction in Women After Tibial Fracture: A Retrospective Comparative Study

Med Sci Monit In Press; DOI: 10.12659/MSM.944136  

0:00

21 Feb 2024 : Clinical Research  

Potential Value of HSP90α in Prognosis of Triple-Negative Breast Cancer

Med Sci Monit In Press; DOI: 10.12659/MSM.943049  

22 Feb 2024 : Review article  

Differentiation of Native Vertebral Osteomyelitis: A Comprehensive Review of Imaging Techniques and Future ...

Med Sci Monit In Press; DOI: 10.12659/MSM.943168  

23 Feb 2024 : Clinical Research  

A Study of 60 Patients with Low Back Pain to Compare Outcomes Following Magnetotherapy, Ultrasound, Laser, ...

Med Sci Monit In Press; DOI: 10.12659/MSM.943732  

Most Viewed Current Articles

16 May 2023 : Clinical Research  

Electrophysiological Testing for an Auditory Processing Disorder and Reading Performance in 54 School Stude...

DOI :10.12659/MSM.940387

Med Sci Monit 2023; 29:e940387

0:00

17 Jan 2024 : Review article  

Vaccination Guidelines for Pregnant Women: Addressing COVID-19 and the Omicron Variant

DOI :10.12659/MSM.942799

Med Sci Monit 2024; 30:e942799

0:00

14 Dec 2022 : Clinical Research  

Prevalence and Variability of Allergen-Specific Immunoglobulin E in Patients with Elevated Tryptase Levels

DOI :10.12659/MSM.937990

Med Sci Monit 2022; 28:e937990

0:00

01 Jan 2022 : Editorial  

Editorial: Current Status of Oral Antiviral Drug Treatments for SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Non-Hospitalized Pa...

DOI :10.12659/MSM.935952

Med Sci Monit 2022; 28:e935952

0:00

Your Privacy

We use cookies to ensure the functionality of our website, to personalize content and advertising, to provide social media features, and to analyze our traffic. If you allow us to do so, we also inform our social media, advertising and analysis partners about your use of our website, You can decise for yourself which categories you you want to deny or allow. Please note that based on your settings not all functionalities of the site are available. View our privacy policy.

Medical Science Monitor eISSN: 1643-3750
Medical Science Monitor eISSN: 1643-3750