IMMUNOCHEMICAL ANALYSIS OF TOXIC SUBSTANCES IN THE ENVIRONMENT AND IN HUMANS

在评估人类和环境健康方面存在数据缺口，主要是由于缺乏快速和经济有效地分析大量样本负荷的能力。免疫测定法（ELISA）可用于测量环境中的有毒物质和用于人体监测，因为它们快速、具有成本效益、敏感、特异性和适用于实验室或现场情况。这些测定方法可用于测量土壤和水等环境样品以及食物中可能暴露于这些化合物的情况。在中心的头5年中，在乌拉圭和南美洲其他地方进行了以前费用过高的研究，从而提供了一个改进的数据库，可据此作出关于人类和环境健康的知情决定。该项目为残留物分析提供了简单可靠的方法，并由训练有素的大学工作人员教育学生和技术人员如何在现场使用这些方法。共和国（乌拉圭）大学化学系成功地掌握了这种方法，并正在积极促进其进一步发展。加州大学戴维斯分校在这一领域具有特殊的专业知识，代表了赞助这一项目的理想培训和技术转让环境。该项目建立区域能力，根据区域的需要，利用ELISA监测环境污染和检测食品和饮用水中的化学残留物。其他学员正在学习ELISA方法，以研究南美各国包虫病（棘球蚴病）的流行情况，并研究秘鲁较新的控制战略的有效性。我们还提供包括RT-PCR在内的现代分子技术的实验室培训，以分析饮用水质量，并正在为毒理学、环境毒理学和公共卫生专业人员的研究生培训制定和实施改进的课程。与会者包括环境工程师、毒理学家、公共卫生专业人员和流行病学家，他们都将受益于区域规模的合作和改进的培训机会。

Data gaps exist in the assessment of human and environmental health largely due to the lack of ability to analyze large sample loads rapidly and cost effectively. Immunoassays (ELISA) can be used to measure toxic materials in the environment and for human monitoring because they are rapid, cost-effective, sensitive, specific and adaptable to laboratory or field situations. These assays can be used to measure potential exposure to these compounds in environmental samples such as soil and water, and in food. In the first 5 years of the Center, studies were conducted in Uruguay and elsewhere in South America that were previously cost prohibitive, thus providing an improved database from which to make informed decisions on human and environmental health. This project provides simple and reliable methods for residue analysis and a trained University staff to educate students and technicians in how to use these methods in the field. The Faculty of Chemistry, University of the Republic (Uruguay), has successfully acquired this methodology and is actively contributing to its further development. The University of California at Davis has special expertise in this area and represents an ideal training and technology transfer milieu to sponsor such a project. The project builds regional capability for using ELISA to monitor environmental contamination and to detect chemical residues in food products and drinking water, according to the needs of the region. Other trainees are learning ELISA methods to study the prevalence of hydatid cyst disease (echinococcus) in various South American countries, and to study the effectiveness of newer control strategies in Peru. We also provide laboratory training in modern molecular techniques, including RT-PCR, to analyze drinking water quality, and are developing and implementing improved curricula for graduate training of professionals in toxicology, environmental toxicology, and public health. Participants include environmental engineers, toxicologists, public health professionals, and epidemiologists, all of whom will benefit from regional-scale cooperation and improved training opportunities.