Clark K G
Br J Ind Med. 1976 Aug;33(3):193-5. doi: 10.1136/oem.33.3.193.
Blood samples from people exposed to inorganic lead were examined by fluorescence microscopy for excess erythrocyte porphyrin. With continued lead absorption, fluorescent erythrocytes appeared in the circulation of workers handling this metal or its compounds, and they progressively increased in number and brilliance. These changes ensued if the blood lead concentration was maintained above 2-42 mumol/l (50 mug/100 ml), and preceded any material fall in the haemoglobin value. At one factory, 62-5% of 81 symptomless workers showed erythrocyte fluorescence attributable to the toxic effects of lead. Excess fluorocytes were found in blood samples from a child with pica and three of her eight siblings. These four were subsequently shown to have slightly increased blood lead concentrations (2-03 to 2-32 mumol/l). Fluorescence microscopy for excess erythrocyte porphyrin is a sensitive method for the detection of chronic lead intoxication. A relatively slight increase in the blood lead is associated with demonstrabel changes in erythrocyte porphyrin content. The procedure requires little blood, and may be performed upon stored samples collected for lead estimation. The results are not readily influenced by contamination, and provide good confirmatory evidence for the absorption of biochemically active lead.
通过荧光显微镜检查接触无机铅人员的血样，以检测红细胞卟啉是否过量。随着铅的持续吸收，在接触这种金属或其化合物的工人的血液循环中出现了荧光红细胞，并且其数量和亮度逐渐增加。如果血铅浓度维持在2 - 42微摩尔/升（50微克/100毫升）以上，这些变化就会发生，并且在血红蛋白值出现任何实质性下降之前就已出现。在一家工厂，81名无症状工人中有62.5%的人显示出红细胞荧光，这归因于铅的毒性作用。在一名有异食癖的儿童及其八个兄弟姐妹中的三个的血样中发现了过量的荧光细胞。随后证明这四人的血铅浓度略有升高（2.03至2.32微摩尔/升）。通过荧光显微镜检测红细胞卟啉过量是检测慢性铅中毒的一种灵敏方法。血铅相对轻微的升高与红细胞卟啉含量的明显变化有关。该检测方法所需血量很少，并且可以对为估计铅含量而采集的储存血样进行检测。结果不易受到污染的影响，并且为生物活性铅的吸收提供了良好的确证依据。
