Validation of a whole blood method for cholinesterase monitoring.

Traditional cholinesterase monitoring methods requiring several milliliters of blood are too invasive for prolonged routine monitoring. After several years' experience with a whole blood method requiring only 50 microL of blood for each test, a statistical evaluation of 1 year's monitoring data was undertaken to determine the normal variation of the test procedures. The results showed excellent sensitivity and reproducibility. On the basis of these data and other obvious advantages, this method is recommended as a more acceptable procedure for cholinesterase monitoring in field situations as well as plant settings.