Excessive Pesticide Use Likely to Cause the Onset of Myasthenia Gravis in the Moroccan Agricultural Population.

BACKGROUND AND

OBJECTIVE

As pesticides have been and are widely used in agriculture. This work consists of highlighting one of the probable consequences of these xenobiotics. The aim of the study is possible association between the onset of autoimmune disorders and the exposure of rural populations to toxic substances will be discussed.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

To carry out this work, the data recorded in the medical records of myasthenic men and women living in the countryside were used. Of all the 117 cases withdrawn from the specialties hospital in Rabat (Morocco), 77% lived in urban areas and 23% in rural areas.

RESULTS

The result of the analysis of the files of rural inhabitants revealed a male predominance, unlike previous data on the distribution of myasthenia gravis by sex, women were in the lead in terms of quantity for this disease.

CONCLUSION

These findings may lead to highlight exposure to pesticides and their accumulation during the time spent by these agricultural workers in the fields and sometimes without appropriate personal protective equipment.