Quantification of nerve agent VX-butyrylcholinesterase adduct biomarker from an accidental exposure.
The lack of data in the open literature on human exposure to the nerve agent O-ethyl-S-(2-diisopropylaminoethyl) methylphosphonothioate (VX) gives a special relevance to the data presented in this study in which we report the quantification of VX-butyrylcholinesterase adduct from a relatively low-level accidental human exposure. The samples were analyzed by gas chromatography-high resolution mass spectrometry using the fluoride ion regeneration method for the quantification of multiple nerve agents including VX. Six human plasma samples from the same individual were collected after the patient had been treated once with oxime immediately after exhibiting signs of exposure. Detection limits of approximately 5.5 pg/mL plasma were achieved for the G-analogue of VX (G-VX). Levels of the G-VX ranged from 81.4 pg/mL on the first day after the exposure to 6.9 pg/mL in the sample taken 27 days after the exposure. Based on the reported concentration of human butyrylcholinesterase in plasma of approximately 80 nM, it can be calculated that inhibition levels of >or= 0.05% of BuChE can be accurately quantified. These data further indicate that the fluoride ion regeneration method is a potentially powerful tool that can be used to assess low-level exposure to VX.
Solano
Maria I
MI
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 4770 Buford Highway, Atlanta, Georgia 30341, USA.
Thomas
Jerry D
JD
Taylor
James T
JT
McGuire
Jeffrey M
JM
Jakubowski
Edward M
EM
Thomson
Sandra A
SA
Maggio
Vincent L
VL
Holland
Kerry E
KE
Smith
J Richard
JR
Capacio
Benedict
B
Woolfitt
Adrian R
AR
Ashley
David L
DL
Barr
John R
JR
D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis / Q000097:blood; D002091:Butyrylcholinesterase / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D002138:Calibration; D002619:Chemical Warfare Agents / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D002800:Cholinesterase Inhibitors / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000032:analysis; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods*; D005459:Fluorides / Q000737:chemistry; D008401:Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D009946:Organothiophosphorus Compounds / Q000097:blood* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D017680:Potassium Compounds / Q000737:chemistry
D015415:Biomarkers; D002091:Butyrylcholinesterase; D002619:Chemical Warfare Agents; D002800:Cholinesterase Inhibitors; D005459:Fluorides; D009946:Organothiophosphorus Compounds; D017680:Potassium Compounds; C033320:potassium fluoride; C009680:VX-agent