Efecto del estrés térmico sobre la respuesta inmune en trabajadores expuestos a temperaturas abatidas

Abstract

Cold thermal stress in the workplace can influence local and general cooling, with manifestations of hypothermia, such as necrosis of exposure areas (Holmer, 2009). Cold exposure is a significant hazard in the industry, in artificial and natural areas (Holmer et al., 2009). Although are known progressive clinical situations about hypothermia, aren´t known in humans the effects on de immune system of occupational exposure to chronic cold (more than 3 months). So, effects of cold exposure (-23 a -28oC) on immune response were investigated. Procedure consisted of: 1. - To determine the working conditions in the workplace of assistant frozen room. 2.- Participant were divided two groups, seven exposed (GE) and seven unexposed (GNE), they were evaluate about thermal stress on the immune system, through blood and saliva samples. Results showed statistical significance with lower for serum IgA (< 0.05) from GE vs. GNE, we found no significance with values for serum for IgG and IgM and IgA in saliva. We conclude that the affect on the humoral response to cold stress after exposure to temperatures from -23 to -28oC, appears to cause a decrease in serum IgA values, we unknown mechanism by which they arise these apparent changes, so should be made more evaluations of cold workplace.