Imunophenotypic Evaluation as a Tool for Monitoring Risks for Blood Malignancies in Gas Station Workers

Abstract

Background: Gas station workers are exposed to carcinogenic substances with impact on the hematologic and<br />immune systems. The aim was to apply the immunophenotyping as a tool in the biological monitoring. Methods: This<br />is a workplace-based case-control study with 49 workers and 26 controls. Medical interviews, hematological exams,<br />and immunophenotyping analyses were performed. According to risk behavior (cleaning flannel and mistrust in the<br />automatic fuel supply) the workers were divided into two groups: low risk (group 1) and high risk (group 2). Results:<br />The results showed that CD16, HLA-DR, CD25, CD56+, CD16 CD56low, and CD56high expressions were higher<br />in workers when compared to the control group (P =0.020, P =0.001, P =0.001; P =0.034, P=0.023, and P =0.008,<br />respectively). The expressions of CD2, CD8, CD10, CD8low, and CD4/CD8 ratios were lower (P =0.016, P =0.001,<br />P=0.001, P= 0.017, P = 0.0259, and P =0.029, respectively). Headache and paresthesia complaints were associated<br />with workers when compared to the control group (OR = 4.091, 95% CI, 1.400 -11.951, P = 0.014; OR =12.12, 95%<br />CI, 1.505 - 97.61, P =0.004). Using cleaning flannel and mistrust in the automatic fuel supply (risk behaviors) were<br />associated with group 2 (OR = 9.71, 95% CI, 2.60-36.26, P = 0.005; OR = 18.18, 95% CI, 2.04-161.37, P = 0.004).<br />Conclusions: The results strengthen the worker's immunosuppression hypothesis, which may contribute to some<br />disorders and the carcinogenesis process. The evaluation of the immune system by flow cytometry is a promising tool<br />for monitoring blood malignancy risk in addition to regular classic hematological exams.