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The Immunologic Profile of Anesthetists

Received from the Department of Surgery "A," the Cellular Immunology Unit, and the Department of Anesthesiology, Beilinson Medical Center, Petah Tikva, and the Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Israel.

Abstract

Reports in the literature have suggested possible impairment of immunocompetence in operating theater personnel. In a group of 18 physician anesthesiologists the following were determined: hemoglobin concentration; white blood cell count; numbers of T, B, and natural killer (NK) lymphocytes; number of T-active cells; and numbers of T-helper/inducer (Th) and T-suppressor/cytotoxic (Ts) cells; and the Th/Ts ratio. Function of T lymphocytes was evaluated using the local xenogeneic graft-versus-host reaction and spontaneous suppressor or helper activity of T cells. The same parameters were determined in a group of 18 age- and sex-matched healthy controls. It was found that no matter what their age or how long they have been engaged in anesthetic practice, anesthetists show no immunosuppression as evidenced by these parameters.

Key Words: IMMUNE RESPONSE—immunocompetence of anesthetists • ANESTHESIOLOGISTS—immunocompetence