Anicteric Hepatitis: An Occupational Hazard In Cement Industry Workers

Abstract

Thirty five volunteers from the production department of Nigeria Cement factory Nkalagu, Nigeria, were subjected to health screening using liver function indices – Bilirubin (total and conjugated), alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartic transaminase (AST) and alkaline phosphates (ALP) as well as the serum proteins (total protein, albumin and globulin). A control group consisting of 20 apparently health men were drawn from the administration department of the company were similarly assayed. In the volunteer cement workers, serum transaminases were markedly increased over the reference values. This increase was also significantly higher when compared to the value for the control group (p<0.05). Elevated values of AST and ALT suggest susceptibility to hepatitis. The elevation in transaminases was however not associated with any increase in serum bilirubin nor with any altered protein patterns, hence suggestive of anicteric hepatitis.


Key Words: Anicteric hepatitis; occupational hazards; cement industry


Jnl Med. Investigation & Practice Vol. 3 2001: 53-57