Effect of Cadmium Body
Burden on Immune Response of School Children
he effects of cadmium (Cd) on measures of immune-system function were determined from
health survey of school children in heavily polluted regions of eastern Germany. A
representative sample of 842 students, aged 5-14 y, was included in logistic regression
analyses in which the relationship between urinary Cd content and blood immunoglobulin
levels was examined. Investigators further evaluated a subsample of 807 students to
determine Cd's effect on immediate hypersensitivity reactions elicited by skin-pricks
challenges with 12 common aeroallergens. Several potentially confounding factors were
controlled for, after which investigators found that increasing body burden of Cd were
associated consistently with dose-dependent suppression of immediate hypersensitivity and
of immunoglobulin G, but not immunoglobulin M, A, or E levels. The immunoglobulin pattern
observed in exposed children led investigators to suggest that Cd impaired secondary
humoral responses. B Ritz, C Krause Arch Environ Health 1998;53:272-280
Copyright © 2003 Anamol Laboratories Ltd.
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