ABSTRACT
Blood lead and erythrocyte zinc-protoporphyrin levels were studied in 45 male adults exposed to lead (traditional home-factory pottery) and compared with two control populations. These two variables are well correlated in all the studied populations. Delta-aminolevulinic acid levels in urine (ALA-U) were significantly higher in the exposed group. Hemoglobin concentration (Hb), hematocrit (Hc) values and clinical data were also considered. We conclude that the zinc-protoporphyrin method here used is a simple reliable field test of the selection of individuals who need more detailed clinical investigation.
Subject(s)
Lead Poisoning/blood , Lead/blood , Occupational Diseases/blood , Porphyrins/blood , Protoporphyrins/blood , Adult , Aminolevulinic Acid/urine , Humans , Lead Poisoning/diagnosis , Male , Mexico , Occupational Diseases/diagnosisABSTRACT
After lead poisoning was confirmed in nine adult males industrially exposed to lead dusts, therapy was instituted with oral penicillamine. Several laboratory examinations confirmed diagnosis, and also monitored the efficiency of penicillamine therapy. This study sought to investigate the usefulness of protoporphyrin determination in erythrocytes as a tool in diagnostic and therapy-evaluating studies. This determination seems to be a good clinical aid in diagnosis, but is a poor monitor to project eventual recovery of lead-poisoned patients in short-term studies.
Subject(s)
Erythrocytes/analysis , Lead Poisoning/blood , Porphyrins/blood , Protoporphyrins/blood , Adult , Aminolevulinic Acid/urine , Humans , Lead/blood , Lead Poisoning/diagnosis , Lead Poisoning/drug therapy , Male , Penicillamine/therapeutic useABSTRACT
A group of 121 patients with occupational lead exposure was studied. Saturnism was confirmed in 42 of them. Patients were given D-penicillamine in doses of 0.75 and 1.5 g/day. Urinary delta-aminolevulinic acid was selected as a toxicity biological indicator; its concentrations were quantified daily during therapy. Urinary delta-aminolevulinic acid is considered a good biological indicator throughout penicillamine therapy and also in the detection of lead intoxication. Likewise, the chelating test is considered an excellent method to confirm the diagnosis of lead poisoning.
