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The aim of the present work was to apply a validated methodology for the detection of organochlorine pesticides in Didelphis virginiana (Virginia opossum) serum samples collected in Yucatan, Mexico. Recent studies performed to investigate the presence of Organochlorines (OCLs) in water, human blood and milk, and animal tissues from Yucatan have shown that the OCLs concentrations are high and can be associated with potential human health risk. Since opossum is considered an important synanthropic species in Yucatan, 40 opossum serum samples were analyzed by gas chromatography with electron capture detector. The most common OCLs found in opossum sera were lindanes, chlordanes, drines, and endosulfan. Heptachlor, heptachlor epoxide, and lindanes were found at the highest concentrations, while dichlorodiphenyl trichloroethane and its metabolites were found at the lowest concentrations in the samples. The good linearity, precision, and accuracy obtained in the evaluated parameters in the extraction and chromatographic methods support its application for the monitoring of OCLs pesticides in populations of opossums and other wild species in Yucatan.

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RESUMEN Objetivos Determinar relación entre hipotiroidismo y plaguicidas en sangre. Metodología Estudio de corte transversal, en agricultores y sus compañeros(as) permanentes en municipios productores de plátano y café. Se calculó muestra representativa. Se realizaron pruebas de función tiroidea, se utilizó un lector de ELISA Stat Fax 303/Plus, en una longitud de onda 450 nm. Se determinó la residualidad de plaguicidas organoclorados, se implementó un método de microextracción dispersiva en fase líquida (DLLME) asistida por sonicación, y se empleó cromatografía de gases con detector de micro captura de electrones (GC-µECD) para el análisis. Resultados Se incluyeron 819 participantes, 58,7% hombres y 41,3% mujeres; promedio de edad 48,1 años. Prevalencia de hipotiroidismo manifiesto 1,2% y de hipotiroidismo subclínico 6,7%, mayor prevalencia en personas mayores de 60 años (2,6% y 8,9% respectivamente). Se encontró asociación no causal de hipotiroidismo subclínico con plaguicidas organoclorados 4,4'-DDE (sig.0,006), Heptacloro (sig.0,04), y Endosulfán I (sig.0,02). Los anticuerpos antiperoxidasa (Anti TPO) ≥ 60 lU/ml se asociaron con h. subclínico, OR 2,6. Conclusiones La prevalencia de hipotiroidismo hallada es similar a lo referido en la literatura, es menor que en áreas urbanas; la prevalencia de hipotiroidismo subclínico es mayor y con riesgo de progresión a hipotiroidismo franco cuando se relaciona con Anti-TPO positivos, razón por la cual se requiere seguimiento en estos pacientes. Se asociaron a h. subclínico 3 plaguicidas organoclorados. Se recomienda tamizaje de TSH en personas de 40 y más años sobre todo si están expuestas a los agroquímicos mencionados.(AU)

ABSTRACT Objectives To establish the correlation between hypothyroidism and blood pesticide levels. Materials and Methods Cross-sectional study in agricultural workers and their permanent partners in plantain and coffee producing municipalities as reference population. A representative sample was estimated and thyroid function tests were performed using ELISA Stat Fax 303/Plus reader, at a wavelength of 450 nm. Organochlorine pesticide residuality was determined, a dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction (DLLME) assisted by sonication was implemented, and a gas chromatography-micro-electron capture detector (GC-pECD) was used for the analysis. Results 819 participants, 58.7% men and 41.3% women were included; their average age was 48.1 years. Prevalence of symptomatic hypothyroidism (1.2%) and subclinical hypothyroidism (6.7%) was observed, with a higher prevalence in people older than 60 years (2.6% and 8.9%, respectively). Non-causal association was found between subclinical hypothyroidism and the organochlorine pesticides 4,4'-DDE (sig.0,006), Heptachlor (sig.0,04), and Endosulfan I (sig.0,02). Antiperoxidase (Anti TPO) antibodies ≥60 lU/ml were associated with subclinical hypothyroidism (OR 2.6). Conclusions The prevalence of hypothyroidism in the studied population is similar to that reported in the literature, and lower than in urban areas. In turn, the prevalence of subclinical hypothyroidism is higher and positive anti-TPO values are related to risk of progression to frank hypothyroidism, which is why follow-up is required in these patients. Three organochlorine pesticides were associated with subclinical hypothyroidism. TSH screening is recommended in people aged 40 and over, especially if they are exposed to the aforementioned agrochemicals.(AU)

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Las mezclas químicas o la presencia conjunta de signos y síntomas de intoxicación crónica son dos de los principales desafíos para el estudio toxicológico y epidemiológico de la exposición a plaguicidas. En este estudio fue explorada la aplicabilidad del análisis cualitativo comparativo con conjuntos nítidos (csQCA) para superar estas difcultades. Los datos de síntomas y signos clínicos de intoxicación de 43 trabajadores del cultivo de arroz en Guamo y Espinal (Tolima, Colombia) fueron recolectados, y se midió la presencia de heptacloro en sangre total con cromatografía de gases con detector de captura de electrones. Se realizaron tablas de verdad con las principales confguraciones (presencia conjunta de signos y síntomas), y se evaluó su consistencia y cobertura. En 90,70 % de los trabajadores se detectó heptacloro. Cuarenta y nueve signos y síntomas fueron reportados, siendo los más frecuentes las alteraciones del sueño, el mareo y la visión borrosa. Cinco confguraciones resultaron asociadas con la detección de heptacloro en sangre (cobertura: 0,872 y consistencia: 0,971), aunque sólo tres resultan útiles para la práctica clínica. Este procedimiento permitió diseñar un listado de tamizaje para detección de individuos con exposición a heptacloro. La experiencia mostró uno de los potenciales uso de csQCA en toxicología. Futuros estudios podrán explorar mejor el valor predictivo de estos hallazgos en diversas poblaciones.

Chemical mixtures or the conjoint presence of signs and symptoms of chronic poisoning are two of the main challenges to the toxicologic and epidemiologic study of exposure to pesticides. In this study was explored the applicability of crispsets qualitative comparative analysis (csQCA) to overcome these diffculties. Data on symptoms and signs of poisoning from 43 agricultural workers living in Guamo or Espinal (Cundinamarca, Colombia) were collected, and the presence of heptachlor was measured in total blood with gas chromatography with electron capture detector. Truth tables with main confgurations were performed, and consistence and coverage were estimated. Heptachlor was detected among 90.70% of workers. Forty-nine symptoms and signs were reported, being the most frequent sleep disorders, dizziness and blurred vision. Five confgurations were associated with the detection of heptachlor in blood (coverage: 0.872 and consistence: 0.971), although only three are useful for clinical practice. This procedure allowed the design of a list of screening for detection of individuals with exposure to heptachlor. This experience showed one of the potential uses of csQCA in toxicology. Future studies may further explore the predictive value of these fndings in different populations.

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We report on two patients with a history of chronic exposure to organochlorine insecticides who developed clinical and electromyographic signs and symptoms of chronic motor neuron disease. Measurements of aldrin, lindane and heptachlor confirmed the intoxication. We emphasize the importance of searching for toxic and environmental factors in cases of motor neuron disease especially in Third World countries, where workers usually wear no adequate protective equipment.

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