Paraoxonase polymorphisms and self-reported chronic ill-health in farmers dipping sheep.
BACKGROUND
Serum paraoxonase (PON1) provides protection against organophosphate induced toxicity. Recently we reported that the frequency of paraoxonase polymorphisms in sheep dippers with self-reported chronic ill-health differed from that in dippers with a similar dipping history but no ill-health. As these analyses may have included subjects with conditions unrelated to organophosphate exposure, the aim of this study was to examine whether the risk associated with PON1 polymorphisms varied using a more homogenous case and referent population.


METHODS
Each subject completed a detailed symptom questionnaire and their general practitioner was asked whether there was any history of neurological disease that could be confused with the effects of organophosphate poisoning. Subjects were then excluded both on clinical grounds and where identified as atypical on discriminant analysis.


RESULTS
Risk associated with the PON1 192 and 55 genotypes altered little with these changes in the population.


CONCLUSIONS
These findings are consistent with the hypothesis that organophosphates contribute to the self-reported ill-health of sheep dippers.
Centre for Occupational and Environmental Health, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, UK.
A C
AC
Povey
M I
MI
Mackness
P N
PN
Durrington
M
M
Dippnall
A E
AE
Smith
B
B
Mackness
N M
NM
Cherry
D000382:Agricultural Workers' Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000235:genetics*; D000822:Animal Husbandry; D000818:Animals; D043303:Aryldialkylphosphatase / Q000235:genetics*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006801:Humans; D062025:Organophosphate Poisoning; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D034561:Sheep, Domestic
D043303:Aryldialkylphosphatase; C468406:PON1 protein, human