Assessment of insecticide poisoning among vector control operators using a new biomarker, the enyzme β-glucuronidase
The increase of insecticide space spraying to control Aedes mosquitoes submits vector control operators to low-level exposure to toxic organophosphates. Plasma β-glucuronidase level is found to increase in most organophosphate poisoning cases. This study aims to identify presence of organophosphat...
| Main Authors: | , |
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| Format: | Conference or Workshop Item |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
University Publication Centre (UPENA) UiTM
2011
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| Online Access: | http://irep.iium.edu.my/55399/ http://irep.iium.edu.my/55399/3/11.%20Ashraf%20ProceedingsUiTM2011.pdf |
| Summary: | The increase of insecticide space spraying to control Aedes mosquitoes submits vector control operators to
low-level exposure to toxic organophosphates. Plasma β-glucuronidase level is found to increase in most
organophosphate poisoning cases. This study aims to identify presence of organophosphate poisoning using
β-glucuronidase assay as an alternative biomarker. A total of 180 blood samples (74 controls and 106
subjects) were examined for this enzyme using a spectrophotometer. These results were then compared to
the routine screening assay, butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) assay using a chemical analyzer. Both results
showed absence of organophosphate poisoning indicated by no increased in β-glucuronidase level with no
reduced in BChE level. Results of BChE level in the subject group (7879.70 ±227.935 IU/L), was
significantly higher than the control group (7067.86 ±1609.712 IU/L) (p<0.05). Meanwhile, β-
glucuronidase level between the subject (194.48 ±114.711 U/dL) and control group (192.60 ±122.685
U/dL) showed no significant difference (p>0.05). The findings of this evaluation show that assaying for the
β-glucuronidase enzyme can be an alternative method to determine organophosphate poisoning.
Furthermore, β-glucuronidase assay using spectrophotometer is recommended due to its ease of use and
suitability for small laboratories with limited facilities. |
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