title: Plasma cholinesterase variants - an unexpectedly high incidence of the silent allele.
abstract: The silent allele is one of the rarer plasma cholinesterase variants. In a series of 9 South African families with an inherited abnormal cholinesterase, the silent allele occurs in 5. In 2 it is the only abnormal allele present while in 3 it occurs with the 'atypical' (dibucaine-resistant) form. Identification of the single silent allele requires full family studies, since its inhibition characteristics are those of the other allele present, normal or abnormal.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000483:Alleles; D001049:Apnea / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000235:genetics; D002091:Butyrylcholinesterase / Q000097:blood*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002802:Cholinesterases / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D005787:Gene Frequency; D014644:Genetic Variation; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D013390:Succinylcholine / Q000009:adverse effects
chemical_list: D002091:Butyrylcholinesterase; D002802:Cholinesterases; D013390:Succinylcholine