Organophosphates and monocyte esterase deficiency.

AIMS To examine the possibility that monocyte esterase deficiency (MED) could be caused by exposure to organophosphates. METHODS Pseudocholinesterase, paraoxonase and arylesterase activities were measured in the serum and acetylcholinesterase activity was measured in the red cells of a group of monocyte esterase deficient subjects and compared with the enzyme activities of a control group of monocyte esterase positive subjects. RESULTS No significant difference was found between the enzyme activities of the monocyte esterase deficient group and the control group for any of the esterases investigated. CONCLUSION Current or recent exposure to organophosphorus is not the cause of MED.