ORGANOPHOSPHATES AND MONOCYTE ESTERASE DEFICIENCY

Aims-To examine the possibility that monocyte esterase deficiency (MED ) could be caused by exposure to organophosphates. Methods-Pseudocholi nesterase, paraoxonase and arylesterase activities were measured in th e serum and acetylcholinesterase activity was measured in the red cell s of a group of monocyte esterase deficient subjects and compared with the enzyme activities of a control group of monocyte esterase positiv e subjects. Results-No significant difference was found between the en zyme activities of the monocyte esterase deficient group and the contr ol group for any of the esterases investigated. Conclusion-Current or recent exposure to organophosphorus is not the cause of MED.