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SUMMARY
Age related and/or radiation-induced age effects on immunological |
competence were tested in a Marshallese population of about 150 people,
50 of whom had been exposed to fallout radiation in 1954,
In the unexposed
group decreasing immunological competence with aging was indicated by :
(1)
decreasing percentage transformation of peripheral blood lymphocytes
. by phytohemagglutinin stimulation indicating decreasing immunological
competence of lymphocytes; (2) significant increase in gamma globulin
reflected also in increases in IgG, IgA immunoglobulins and also increase
of K light chains.
These latter findings are believed to be associated
with age-accumulated effects of repeated exposures to infectious agents
and perhaps to increased autoimmune reactions.
In the irradiated population there were certain significant, differences
in the findings compared with the unexposed population which may indicate
radiation effects.
A relative depression of platelet and neutrophil levels
of the peripheral blood was noted.
Some slight degree of depression of
peripheral blood elements has, however, been noted since exposure.
Also
noted was reduced gamma globulin levels (also IgG, IgA and K light chains
on immunodiffusion analysis), more pronounced in older age groups which may
indicate a radiation-induced aging effect, Evidence, however, for relative
loss of immunological capacity in the exposed population has not been evident
;
’,
based on incidence or severity of diseases compared with the unexposed population