Impact of - IDL-BNC @ IDRC - International Development Research ...

Table 4. Acetylcholinesterase activity in rural plant workers (n = 159).
Level of activity
Number
of cases %
Table 5. Health profile of subjects with acetyicholinesterase activity
below 60% of normal (n = 159).
symptoms in the urban group and hematological manifestations in the rural
group were also significantly related to AChE depression. Further investigation
showed that neurological symptoms were significantly associated with
blood contamination by pesticides in both exposed groups; card iorespiratory
and hematological abnormalities were associated with blood contamination
by pesticides in the rural group of workers. The latter may be due to heavy
pesticide exposure, socioeconomic status, and a higher prevalence of endemic
diseases.
Examination (physical, clinical laboratory and sonography) of liver function
and pathology revealed a burden of liver disease attributable to the effects
(additive or synergistic) of both pesticides and bilharzial infestation (Tables 6
and 7). There was a significant difference in liver pathology between rural
workers exposed to pesticides and the control subjects, clearly demonstrated
by a combination of findings: hepatosplenomegaly with ascites, edema of the
lower limbs, abnormal sonography, and abnormal liver-function tests (Tables
6 and 7). A significant difference was also found between exposed urban
workers and control subjects with respect to hepatosplenomegaly and ascites.
123
Acetylcholinesterase activity
Maximum Minimum Average SD
High activity 6 3 9.50 6.30 7.22 1.13
Normal 40 25 5.90 2.10 3.62 1.19
Moderate inhibition 34 21 1.90 1.00 1.43 0.29
Sever inhibition 40 25 0.99 0.51 0.76 0.13
Extremely severe
inhibition 39 25 0.48 0.03 0.25 0.13
System affected
Control (%)
(n=21)
Rural plant
(n = 114)
Urban plant
(n = 24)
p % p
Neurological 52.4 48.2 n.s. 83.3