Allergological and Toxicological Aspects in a Multiple Chemical Sensitivity Cohort

作者:Pigatto Paolo D; Minoia Claudio; Ronchi Anna; Brambilla Lucia; Ferrucci Silvia M; Spadari Francesco; Passoni Manuela; Somalvico Francesco; Bombeccari Gian Paolo; Guzzi Gianpaolo*
来源:Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity, 2013, 2013: UNSP 356235.
DOI:10.1155/2013/356235

摘要

Background. Multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS) is a chronic condition characterized by an exaggerated response to toxicants. We ascertained the prevalence of allergy to metals and toxicological aspects in MCS patients. Methods. We conducted a retrospective review of medical records of 41 patients with MCS. We performed patch testing (n = 21) for dental series and did lymphocyte transformation test (n = 18) for metals. We measured mercury in samples of blood (n = 19), urine (n = 19), saliva (n = 20), and scalp hair (n = 17) to investigate the association between mercury levels and cases of MCS. Results. The prevalence of metal immune hypersensitivity in a subset of 26 patients was 92.3 percent. Elevations of mercury occurred in 81.2 percent (26 of 32). The mean (+/- SD) in blood concentrations of mercury was 7.6 +/- 13.6 mu g/L; mean in urine was 1.9 +/- 2.5 mu g/L; mean in scalp hair was 2.2 +/- 2.5 mu g/g; mean in saliva was 38.1 +/- 52.1 mu g/L. Subgroup analyses showed that elevation of mercury levels in biological matrices were associated with mercury amalgams in patients with MCS (22 patients), compared with controls (8 patients) (odds ratio 11 : 95 percent confidence interval 1.5 to 81.6; P = 0.023). Conclusions. Our data show an increased prevalence of metal allergy and elevation of mercury levels in bioindicators among patients with MCS.

  • 出版日期2013