IMMUNE ACTIVATION AND AUTOANTIBODIES IN HUMANS WITH LONG-TERM INHALATION EXPOSURE TO FORMALDEHYDE

Four groups of patients with long-term inhalation exposure to formaldehyde (HCHO) were compared with controls who had short-term periodic exposure to HCHO. The following were determined for all groups: total white cell, lymphocyte, and T cell counts; T helper/suppressor ratios; total Ta1 +, IL2 +, and B cell counts; antibodies to formaldehyde-human serum albumin (HCHO-HSA) conjugate and autoantibodies. When compared with the controls, the patients had significantly higher antibody titers to HCHO-HSA. In addition, significant increases in Ta1 +, IL2 +, and B cells and autoantibodies were observed. Immune activation, autoantibodies, and anti-HCHO-HSA antibodies are associated with long-term formaldehyde inhalation. © 1990 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.