Search

Experimental studies have shown that various pesticides can damage kidney function, but epidemiological information on the effects of long-term low-level pesticide exposure is lacking. A study in Fez Meknes, Morocco, examined the link between 31 pesticides and end-stage renal disease (ESRD). This study involved 12 hemodialysis centers in various areas. Duration and frequency of use determined lifetime pesticide use, which was adjusted by an intensity factor to account for differences in pesticide application practices. The STROBE guideline was applied in the present work. Multivariate logistic regression was used to assess the correlations between end-stage renal disease, and the ordinal categories of lifetime pesticide use, weighted by intensity, for 31 pesticides. The study included 82 cases and 161 controls, and exposure to Glyphosate, paraquat, 2–4 D, 2–4 D+2–4 MCPA, azoxystrobin and difenoconazole demonstrated positive exposure-response trends. End-stage renal disease was significantly associated with the intensity-weighted exposure to the herbicides 2,4 D (OR = 1.005, CI: 1.003–1.007, p < 0.0001) and 2,4 D + 2,4 MCPA (OR = 1.009, CI: 1.004–1.013, p < 0.0001), and the fungicide difenoconazole (OR = 1.017, CI: 1.001–1.033, p = 0.033). These findings suggest a potential link between exposure to these pesticides and ESRD, warranting further investigation into the underlying mechanisms and the generalizability of these results to other rural populations. [Display omitted] • High pesticide exposure linked to end-stage renal disease (ESRD). • Herbicides 2,4-D and 2,4-D+MCPA show strong ESRD risk association. • Lower ESRD risk linked with carbendazim, methonyl, and imidacloprid. • Study urges more research on pesticide-induced kidney damage globally. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The white grubs Rhizotrogus obesus Lucas and Geotrogus olcesii Fairmaire (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) are two of the most problematic soil-dwelling pests of some annual crops in Morocco, where they may become a target for entomopathogenic nematodes (EPN). In this study, fourteen EPN strains reported from different fields in Morocco were investigated for their efficacy against both scarab species, under laboratory and greenhouse conditions. In laboratory experiments, seven strains of Heterorhabditis bacteriophora (HB-MOR2, HB-MOR6, HB-MOR1, HB-MOR5, HB-MOR7, HB-MOR4, and HB-MOR8) and one strain of Steinernema feltiae (SF-MOR10), provided remarkable efficacy against R. obesus (38–73% of mortalities). The EPN strains of Steinernema sp.2 (Sfg-MOR12), H. bacteriophora (HB-MOR4), Steinernema sp.1 (Sfg-MOR11), and H. bacteriophora (HB-MOR1) caused mortality rates ranging from 53 to 68% against G. olcesii. In greenhouse experiments where chlorpyrifos-ethyl was used as a positive control, larval mortality of R. obesus caused by both strains of H. bacteriophora, HB-MOR6 (81%) and HB-MOR2 (75%), was higher than that obtained by chlorpyrifos-ethyl (73%). The mortality rate in G. olcesii caused by Steinernema sp.2 (Sfg-MOR12) (77%) was the same as for chlorpyrifos-ethyl treatment (74%). Therefore, it can be concluded that EPN can constitute a promising biological alternative for the sustainable control of R. obesus and G. olcesii. Image 1 • The virulence of indigenous entomopathogenic nematodes was assessed against two white grub R. obesus and G. olcesii. • EPN strains collected from Meknes-El Hajeb area were the most effective in controlling R. obesus and G. olcesii. • Entomopathogenic nematodes induced mortalities rates of white grubs similar to that of chlorpyrifos-ethyl. • EPN could be a reliable eco-friendly alternative to chemical control. • The present study extends the host range of EPN in Morocco and worldwide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]