Allergological and Toxicological Aspects in a Multiple Chemical Sensitivity Cohort. (3rd December 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Pigatto, Paolo D.; Minoia, Claudio; Ronchi, Anna; Brambilla, Lucia; Ferrucci, Silvia M.; Spadari, Francesco; Passoni, Manuela; Somalvico, Francesco; Bombeccari, Gian Paolo; Guzzi, Gianpaolo
• Other Names: De Luca Chiara Academic Editor.
• Is Part Of: Oxidative medicine and cellular longevity. Volume 2013(2013)
• Publication Date: 2013-12-03
• Subjects: Oxidative stress -- Periodicals; Cells -- Aging -- Periodicals; Cells -- Aging; Oxidative stress; Oxidative Stress -- Periodicals; Cell Aging -- Periodicals; Periodicals; 611.0181
• DOI: 10.1155/2013/356235
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1942-0900

Abstract

Abstract : 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 μ g/L; mean in urine was 1.9 ± 2.5 μ g/L; mean in scalp hair was 2.2 ± 2.5 μ g/g; mean in saliva was 38.1 ± 52.1 μ 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.