Cholinesterase biomonitoring activity

Presently available methods to diagnose and biomonitor exposure to anticholinesterases, e.g., nerve agents, rely mostly on measurement of residual enzyme activity of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE) in blood. More specific methods involve analysis of the intact poison or its degradation products in blood and/or urine. These approaches have serious drawbacks. Measurement of cholinesterase inhibition in blood does not identify the anticholinesterase and does not provide reliable evidence for exposure at inhibition levels less than 20 %. The intact poison and its degradation products can only be measured shortly after exposure. Moreover, the degradation products of pesticides may enter the body as such upon ingestion of food products containing these products. 

Characterizing biological variability in livestock blood cholinesterase activity for biomonitoring organophosphate nerve agent exposure. J. Am. Vet. Med. Assoc. 201 714-725. 

Halbrook, R.S., L.R. Shugart, A.P. Watson, N.B. Munro and R.D. Linnabary. 1992. Characterizing biological variability in livestock blood cholinesterase activity for biomonitoring organophosphate nerve agent exposure. J. Amer. Vet. Med. Assoc. 201 714-725. 

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