Benzene poisoning, clinical and blood abnormalities in two Brazilian female gas station attendants: two case reports

Ubirani Barros Otero,Nadezda Kosyakova,Rafaele Tavares Silvestre,Simone Lima,Gilda Alves,Marianne Medeiros Tabalipa,Fábio Santiago,Tayná Pinheiro,Maria Helena Ornellas,Thomas Liehr

doi:10.1186/s13104-016-2369-8

Abstract

BackgroundBrazilian gas station workers are chronically exposed to benzene, toluene, xylene (BTX) during their working time. Describe below two cases of latin female gas station workers with benzene poisoning symptoms and miscarriage history.Case presentationIn both cases were identified complex chromosomal rearrangements (CCR) with fluorescence in situ hybridization, applied to whole chromosome paints by chromosomes 1, 2 and 4. The lower natural killer cell (NK) cells have also been observed in cases correspondents, especially the rare type of NK (NKbright) in their peripheral blood cells.ConclusionsIt is known that acquired chromosomal aberrations are positively correlated with cancer and reproductive risk. In concordance, lower NK cytotoxicity increases the risk for cancer, as well. Thus, this is the first study providing hints on a possible causative relation of lower NK cytotoxicity and increase rates of chromosomal rearrangements including CCRs.

Highlights

Brazilian gas station workers are chronically exposed to benzene, toluene, xylene (BTX) during their working time
It is known that acquired chromosomal aberrations are positively correlated with cancer and reproduc‐ tive risk
Lower natural killer cell (NK) cytotoxicity increases the risk for cancer, as well

Summary

Conclusions

Hematological, and immunophenotypic status in two female gas station attendants, who working in gas station with a proved harmful enviromental concentration of BTX. Zhang et al [5] reported dose-dependent chromosomal aneuploidies (mono- and trisomies) in the peripheral blood lymphocytes of workers exposed to benzene. Besides the detected CCRs pointing towards enhanced chemosensitivity, these two female workers had hematological and immunological abnormalities characterized by mild leukopenia (case 1) and NK abnormalities. It is possible that the action of BTX on the immune system had blocked the transition of immature CD56 bright cells into CD56 dim cells In agreement with this finding, an 11 year follow up study showed that low NK cytotoxicity of peripheral blood lymphocytes correlates with an increased risk for cancer [16]. The identifications of chromosomal abnormalities and NK downregulation in the blood may be a new indicator for effective follow up of workers exposed to BTX, preventing diseases mainly important for females and their offspring.

Background

Findings