Monitoring risks for hematological changes in gas station workers

Background
Gas station workers are exposed to carcinogenic substances. This increases the risk of their exposure to hematological diseases.


Objective
This study aims to evaluate the role of immunophenotyping in the assessment of hematological changes in gas station workers.


Patients and methods
This cross–sectional study was conducted on 50 gas station workers exposed to benzene for more than 3 years and 20 persons who are not exposed to benzene and healthy matched in age and sex as a control group. Data collected from gas station workers in Sohag governate were tested in the clinical and chemical pathology department at Sohag University Hospital.


Results
Exposed workers showed a variety of symptoms mainly headache, weight loss, weakness, and dizziness. There was a statistically significant increase in white blood cells, liver enzymes, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and a significant decrease in hemoglobin and platelets count in the exposed group when compared with control group. Also, there was a statistically significant increase in the expression of cluster of differentiation (CD)10, CD2, CD65, and anti-HLA-DR and a statistically significant decrease in the expression of CD3, CD4, CD5, CD7, and CD4/CD8 ratio in the exposed group when compared with control group.


Conclusion
Complete blood count, liver enzymes, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, CD10, CD56, CD4, and anti-HLA-DR can be used periodically to discover early pathological changes among exposed gas station workers to be managed properly.