Induction of micronuclei in human lymphocytes after occupational exposure to ultrasound.

Micronucleus assay combined with Giemsa and DAPI staining was performed on blood samples of subjects occupationally exposed to ultrasound. Lymphocytes were cultivated in vitro for 72 h. At 44h cytochalasin-B was added in cultures. Frequencies of micronuclei in exposed subjects statistically significant increased compared to control. The frequency of micronucleated cells and micronuclei in exposed subjects shows interindividual variability. Using DAPI staining we observed signal-positive and signal-negative micronuclei. Percentage of signal-positive micronuclei varies between 0 and 66.7% and signal-negative micronuclei between 33.3% and 100%. This study indicate harmful effects of ultrasound on human genome, but further investigations are necessary.