Cytomorphological Changes in Urine and Buccal Mucosa among Fuel Station Workers in Khartoum state

Abstract

This study was conducted in Khartoum state during the period from May to October 2011 to investigate the cytomorphological changes in buccal and urinary tracts cells of fuel station workers. Buccal and urine samples were collected from 100 male workers, selected randomly as case group. In addition fifty individuals not working in fuel stations were selected as control. The age of all participants ranged from 15 to 50 years with mean age of 32 year. Children below 15 years old were not encountered in this study. Smears from buccal cells and urine sediments were prepared and stained with Papanicolaou stain. The results of urine cytological changes showed that more than half of case group (54%) had no changes in their urine cytology. Acute inflammatory changes indicated by presence of RBCs and polymorphonuclear neutrophils were observed in 27% of cases while chronic inflammatory changes, seen as infiltration of mononuclear cells (macrophages and lymphocyte), were observed in 16% and dyskaryotic cells were only seen in three percentage of cases. Control group showed no cytological changes in 86% of participants while acute and chronic inflammatory changes were observed in 10% and four percentage of the participants , respectively. No dyskariotic changes were seen in controls. The differences in urine cytology between the cases and the controls are significant The buccal cytological results showed that 50% of the case group had no changes in their buccal cytology. Acute and chronic inflammatory changes, similar to those previously mentioned in urine cytology, were observed in 28% and, 15% of the cases respectively . Dyskaryotic cells were seen in six percentage and changes indicative of HPV (e. g. Koilocytosis, nuclear chromatin condensation ) were seen in only one case . On the other hand , control group showed no cytological changes in 92%of participants, while acute and chronic inflammatory changes were seen in only six and two percentage of the controls respectively. The differences between the cases and control were highly significant . The study revealed a significant relation between buccal and urine cytological results and the awareness of workers about occupational risk, smoking habit and duration of employment. However no significant correlation was found between working load per day and buccal cytological changes. More obvious changes were seen in workers not aware of benzene exposure; those are more apt to develop chronic inflammatory reactions and dyskariosis .