title: Evaluation of cholinesterase level in an endemic population exposed to malathion suspension formulation as a vector control measure.
abstract: The manuscript describes a study on the blood cholinesterase (ChE) level in an exposed population at different interval of time after spraying with malathion suspension (SRES) use for kala-azar vector control in an endemic area of Bihar, India. The toxicity of a 5% malathion formulation in the form of a slow release emulsified suspension (SRES) was assessed by measuring serum ChE levels in spraymen and in the exposed population. The study showed a significant decrease in ChE levels in the spraymen (p < 0.01) after one week of spraying and in exposed population one week and one month after of spraying (p < 0.01), but was still within the normal range of ChE concentration, one year after spraying, the ChE concentration in the exposed population was the same as prior to spraying (p > 0.01). On no occasion was the decrease in ChE level alarming. A parallel examination of the clinical status also showed the absence of any over toxicity or any behavioural changes in the exposed population. Hence, it may be concluded that 5% malathion slow release formulation, SRES, is a safe insecticide for use as a vector control measure in endemic areas of kala-azar in Bihar, India so long as good personal protection for spraymen is provided to minimize absorption and it can substitute the presently used traditional DDT spray.
authors.affiliation: Rajendra Memorial Research Institute of Medical Sciences, (Indian Council of Medical Research), Patna 800 007, India. drcslal@sify.com
authors.forename: C S
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Lal
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Kumar
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ranjan
authors.forename: V N R
authors.initials: VN
authors.lastname: Das
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Kumar
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kishore
authors.forename: S K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Bhattacharya
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D002802:Cholinesterases / Q000097:blood*; D019353:Endemic Diseases; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D006801:Humans; D007194:India; D007303:Insect Vectors; D007306:Insecticides / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000633:toxicity; D007898:Leishmaniasis, Visceral / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D008294:Malathion / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000633:toxicity; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D010691:Phlebotomus; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D007306:Insecticides; D002802:Cholinesterases; D008294:Malathion