THE IMPACT OF SILICA DUST EXPOSURE ON HUMORAL IMMUNITY OF EXPOSED WORKERS

Abstract

Introduction: Several pieces of evidence focus light on the culprit characteristic of 
crystalline silica for the induction and development of silicosis. Therefore, the present study 
was suggested to assess the impact of silica exposure on immunoglobulin levels.
Material and Methods: One hundred fifty subjects (n=150) were selected from the stone 
quarries of Central India, classified as healthy control (n=75) and workers exposed to 
respirable silica dust (n=75).Workers having less than 10 years exposure were excluded. 
Result: The mean duration of exposure for the experimental group is 15.8 ± 4.80 yrs. 
The mean value of serum IgM in exposed and control groups are 75.8.1l ± 18.52 mg/dL and 
109 ± 19.81 mg/dL respectively and significantly depressed in the exposed group as 
compared to the control group (p<0.0001). The mean differences in the concentration of IgA 
between two groups are statistically significant with P< 0.001. Experimental group is 
showing 248.14±58.20 mg/dL concentration in comparison with control 124.26 ±30.11 
mg/dL. The mean IgG value of exposed and control group is 1737.18 ± 469.62 mg/dL & 
1005.17±219.56mg/dL respectively.
Conclusion: Concentration of immunoglobulin IgG and IgA is raised and IgM level is 
depleted in silica dust exposed workers. However, further studies are necessary to 
understand the immunological mechanisms alteration involved in silicosis.