Immunological aspects of workers exposed to silica in Egyptian cement industry

ABSTRACT

The effect of cement dust exposure for different durations on cellular [T-lymphocytes count and function, B-lymphocyte count and monocyte function] and humoral [serum level of IgA, IgG and IgM, total hemolytic complement activity, level of circulating immune complexes and serum antinuclear antibody] immunities was studied in 45 subjects exposed to cement dust for less than three years [group 1, 15 subjects], five to ten years [group 2, 15 subjects] and more than ten years [group 3, 15 subjects] and in 15 normal subjects as controls. The obtained results were presented in details