Effect of Cs137 on immunological reactivity (review of literature).

An important role of Cs137 as a new ecological factor was shown by analyzing the works of 31 authors. This radioisotope may at present be deceted in the organisms of all the inhabitants of this planet. The migration of Cs137 along the chain lichen-deer-man leads to its accumulation in the organism of human subjects living in the Extreme North and utilizing venison in their diet. Although the high sensitivity of immunological reactions to various unfavourable environmental factors is well known, the materials on the effect of incorporated Cs137 on immunity are scanty, Experiments on animals have shown changes in factors of nonspecific immunity (phagocytic reaction of blood neutrophils, bactericidal activity, lysozyme and complement titres of blood serum) and specific immunity (formation of antiviral antibodies). The blood of animals injured by the isotope displays complete and incomplete autoantibodies. A dependance between the immunobiological changes and the dose absorbed by the organism was demonstrated. The entry of CS137 into the organism of the inhabitants of the Extreme North who use venison in their diet did not, with the absorbed dose equalling up to 50 Mrem per year, lead to changes in their immunological reactivity.