Assessment of some factors of cellular and humoral immunity in radiology workers.

Radiation workers in medical diagnostic departments are occupationally exposed to long-term low-dose ionizing radiation, which may cause radiation-induced side effects. This study investigated subtypes of peripheral blood lymphocytes and immunoglobulin levels in workers who were occupationally exposed to X-ray radiation at the Department of Radiology. Seventeen radiology workers received low levels of ionizing radiation as the study group and 18 individuals who were not exposed to radiation were included as the control group. The percentage of lymphocyte subtypes (CD4+, CD8+ and CD4+/CD8+) and serum levels of immunoglobulins (IgA, IgG and IgM) were measured using peripheral blood samples. Considering all lymphocyte subtypes and serum levels of IgA, IgG and IgM, there was no significant difference between the study and control groups (P > 0.05). There were no significant differences in all mentioned parameters regarding gender (P > 0.05). For the length of employment period, there was a significant difference concerning CD4+/CD8+ (P < 0.05). The findings showed that exposure to low levels of ionizing radiation does not affect the immune system of workers in diagnostic radiology dose level. Because of relatively small samples of workers, it is suggested that these factors be investigated on larger samples of radiology workers.