The comparison of CD4/CD8 ratio among high and ordinary background radiation areas in Ramsar, Iran

The High Natural Background Radiation Area (HNBRA) of Ramsar has been the subject of concern in the last 40 years for a high level of radiation measured in some spots as high as 260 mSv per year. Studies of health status of Ramsar inhabitants did not show significant increase in the frequency of cancer. In this study, some aspects of the immune surveillance in the HNBRA residents of Ramsar were investigated. Our results showed that the CD4+ and CD8+ percentage in residents of HNBRA was higher compared to the Ordinary Natural Background Radiation Area (ONBRA) inhabitants. However, the difference between CD4+ also CD8+ cells count and CD4/CD8 ratio in two areas was not significant statistically. These findings may indicate that the immune systems of these people are adapted but more studies to compare the function of immune systems between two groups become essential.