Effects of chronic exposure to anaesthetic gases on some immune parameters

A cross-sectional survey was carried out to evaluate the relation between o ccupational exposure to low levels of anaesthetic gases (nitrous oxide and isoflurane) and immune parameters. Fifty-one anaesthetists were recruited a mong different Services of Anaesthesiology and Reanimation. The control gro up consisted of non-exposed physicians, similar for gender, age, and job gr ade. Total number of lymphocytes, lymphocyte subpopulations and the natural killer (NK) cytotoxic activity were measured. Information on personal and professional characteristics and on short- and long-term exposure was colle cted. Percentages of T cells (CD3) decreased significantly in anaesthetists compared to controls, whereas numbers of NK cells (CD16(+)CD3(-)) increase d. After correction for confounders, short-term (last 2 weeks) exposure was associated with a decrease in percentages of total T and T helper (CD4) ce lls. Furthermore, T helper percentages were significantly reduced with incr easing individual exposure score evaluated on the basis of working days and levels of anaesthetic gases in operating rooms. A significant X-ray-associ ated increase of numbers and percentages of NK cells was lastly observed. D espite limited present exposure to anaesthetic gases, a specific derangemen t in lymphocyte subpopulations, with T lymphocytes more affected than B, ha s been observed. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.