title: On-site analysis of acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase activity with the ChE check mobile test kit-Determination of reference values and their relevance for diagnosis of exposure to organophosphorus compounds.
abstract: Poisoning by organophosphorus compounds (OP) still poses a major medical challenge. Diagnosis of clinical signs of OP poisoning is still the most important parameter for the initiation of specific treatment. However, in case of unspecific signs and of delayed onset of cholinergic crisis a rapid, reliable and on-site analysis of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) activity would be of great value. Recently the ChE check mobile, a CE-certified ready to use kit for the determination of whole blood AChE and BChE activities, was developed. Here, we evaluated whole blood AChE and BChE reference values with samples taken from 181 male and 61 female volunteers and analyzed them on-site with the ChE check mobile test kit. The analysis of the data revealed a large inter-individual variability (BChE>AChE), only a small sex difference for AChE but a significant difference for BChE activities. The now available normal range values enable an evaluation of determined AChE and BChE activities in case of suspected exposure to OP nerve agents and pesticides. However, the large inter-individual variability of AChE and BChE activities calls for the determination of pre-exposure values in specific subpopulations in order to enable the diagnosis of low-level OP exposure.
authors.affiliation: Bundeswehr Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Munich, Germany. Electronic address: franzworek@bundeswehr.org.
authors.forename: Franz
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Worek
authors.affiliation: Bundeswehr Medical Academy, Munich, Germany.
authors.forename: Martina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Schilha
authors.affiliation: Bundeswehr Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Munich, Germany.
authors.forename: Katharina
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Neumaier
authors.affiliation: Bundeswehr Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Munich, Germany.
authors.forename: Nadine
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Aurbek
authors.affiliation: Bundeswehr Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Munich, Germany.
authors.forename: Timo
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Wille
authors.affiliation: Bundeswehr Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Munich, Germany.
authors.forename: Horst
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Thiermann
authors.affiliation: Bundeswehr Medical Academy, Munich, Germany.
authors.forename: Kai
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kehe
mesh_terms: D000110:Acetylcholinesterase / Q000378:metabolism*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002091:Butyrylcholinesterase / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009943:Organophosphorus Compounds / Q000633:toxicity*; D011933:Reagent Kits, Diagnostic; D012016:Reference Values
chemical_list: D009943:Organophosphorus Compounds; D011933:Reagent Kits, Diagnostic; D000110:Acetylcholinesterase; D002091:Butyrylcholinesterase
keywords: Acetylcholinesterase; Assay; Butyrylcholinesterase; Field kit; Human whole blood; Reference values