It is known that man-made chemical factors negatively affect the health of the population, especially children. Thus, children living in the zone of aerogenic exposure to industrial emissions have impaired immune system functions, various somatic diseases and a high level of S. aureus bacteriocarrier are more often registered. At the same time, the question of the negative impact of metal polutants on various parts of the immune system remains insufficiently studied.
THE AIM OF THE STUDY
Was to assess the frequency of occurrence of the S.aureus bacteriocarrier and the state of cellular, humoral, and local immunity factors in children living under the influence of waste from the iron and steel industry.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
A total of 154 children were examined for staphylococcal bacteriocarrier, including 79 from the area polluted by metallurgical plant emissions. Indices of local, humoral and cellular immunity, phagocytic activity of neutrophils, the level of metals in serum have been studied using traditional methods.
RESULTS
In 52.2% of children living in ecologically unfavorable conditions, S. aureus was found in the nasopharynx, which is 4 times more often than in the comparison group. They also in this biotope revealed a significant decrease in the level of sIgA and lactoferrin. In the blood serum of these children against the background of increased concentration of metallopollutions (vanadium — 8.9 times; manganese — 1.8 times relative to the comparison group), a statistically significant decrease in the titer of total IgA and IgG, as well as specific IgG against S. aureus antigens. A decrease in the number of immunocompetent cells was revealed: (CD25 +, CD4 +, CD8 +, CD3 + — 1.3 times) and values of a phagocytosis indicators.
CONCLUSIONS
Among children living under the conditions of anthropogenic stress, a high proportion of S.aureus bacteria carriers had been established. Metallopollutions have a negative impact on all components of the immune system.