Assessment of Cytological Changes in Sputum Among Policemen Exposed to Traffic Pollution in Khartoum State

Abstract

This study was carried out among traffic policemen in Khartoum state during the period between Januarys to May 2009, the study aimed at assessing the cytological changes in sputum smears taken from traffic policemen. Cytological specimens of sputum were taken from 150 individuals exposed to traffic pollution (cases) and 150 not exposed to traffic pollution (controls). Early morning sputum specimens were collected and processed by the conventional method of sputum cytology and stained by Papanicolaou staining method and examined microscopically. Inflammatory cells infiltrate were detected among 41 (27.4%) from cases and 18 (12.0%) from controls. This finding documented the role of traffic pollution as a risk factor for the increase of the inflammatory cells P<0.002. Few Metaplastic cells were detected among 44 (29.3%) from cases and 19 (12.6%) from controls. Numerous metaplastic cells were detected among 14 (9.3%) from cases and 7(4.7%) from controls. These indicated that traffic pollution is an important factor for the increase in the metaplastic cells in sputum smear P<0.0001. Dysplastic cells were detected among 7 (4.6%) of the cases and 2 )1.3%) of the controls. These indicated that traffic pollution is factor for the increase of the dysplastic cells in sputum smear P<0.0001. In conclusion, traffic pollution can cause cytological changes in lung epithelial cells which can be identified by sputum cytology; sputum cytology is simple and convenient method in the diagnosis and assessment of pathological conditions of the respiratory tract. In view of these findings, we recommend the application of sputum cytology as a suitable method for the assessment of individuals who are at risk of developing lung cancer.