[Studies of immune system parameters in coke plant workers]

Studies on such parameters of immunological system as lymphocyte subpopulations percentage, immunoglobulins concentration and NBT reduction test were performed in peripheral blood obtained from 232 coke plant workers. All the subjects were divided into groups according to the degree of exposure to BaP. Lymphocyte T and B percentage, immunoglobulins IgG, IgM and IgA concentration and NBT reduction test in the examined groups were not significantly different from those in the control group. However, in subjects exposed to the highest concentrations of BaP the low percentages of lymphocytes T (OKT-3) and lymphocytes TH--helper (OKT-4) were revealed when the lymphocytes T subpopulations were examined (using monoclonal antibodies in indirect immunofluorescent technique). Presumably, the alterations the percentage of lymphocytes T subpopulations depend on high BaP concentration affecting the exposed workers.