Epidemiological investigation of death cases by pesticide poisoning

This study gives the report of an epidemiological investigation of seven death cases in a police force headquarters by pesticide poisoning diagnosed by the decrease of the enzyme choline esterase activity. A case control study with an environmental description has been realized, permitting the establishment of temporarily dynamic relationships among the death cases. In Africa, there are many incidents of domestic or professional poisoning with a fatal ending for which, few data are available. The aetiological orientations are discussed in the African context and the difficulties to reach the analysis of toxicology in sub-Saharan Africa are underlined. Key words: