Irons Richard D, Lv Ling, Gross Sherilyn A, Ye Xibiao, Bao Liming, Wang Xiao Qin, Ryder John, Armstrong Thomas W, Zhou Yimei, Miao Lizhaung, Le Anh T, Kerzic Patrick J, Ni Weimin, Fu Hua
Sino-US Joint Clinical and Molecular Laboratory, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China.
Leuk Res. 2005 Dec;29(12):1371-80. doi: 10.1016/j.leukres.2005.08.019. Epub 2005 Sep 23.
Hematotoxicity following chronic benzene exposure has been recognized for over a century, although the mechanism remains unknown. We describe a novel form of bone marrow dysplasia in 23 workers exposed to high concentrations of benzene. Distinguishing features of benzene-induced dysplasia include: marked dyserythropoiesis, eosinophilic dysplasia and abnormal cytoplasmic granulation of neutrophilic precursors. Hematophagocytosis, stromal degeneration and bone marrow hypoplasia are also seen. Severe bone marrow dysplasia is frequently accompanied by clonal T cell expansion and alterations in T lymphocyte subsets. No clonal cytogenetic abnormalities were observed. These results suggest that autoimmune-mediated bone marrow injury is an early or predisposing event in the pathogenesis of benzene-induced persistent hematopoietic disease.
