Biological dose estimation and cytogenetic follow-up observation for a patient with subacute radiation sickness

Objective: To conduct the biological dose estimation and cytogenetic observation for the patient with subacute radiation sickness in a 192Ir source radiation accident. Methods: Conventional chromosome aberration analysis and micronucleus assay in peripheral blood lymphocytes were performed, and the accumulated dose was estimated by G function according to the frequencies of dicentric and ring on the patient. Results: The estimated doses were close to those values estimated by physical method, in accordance with the appearance expression of clinical symptoms. At 1.5 and 2.5 years after the accident, clear decrease were observed in dicentric chromosomes but not in acentric fragments and micronuclei. Conclusions: The estimation of accumulated dose by G function can reflect the real degree of radiation damage. The decreased rate of chromosome aberration and micronucleus in the patient with subacute radiation sickness might be slower than those with acute radiation sickness. (authors)