Diagnostic Aids in Organophosphate Poisoning
Authors: Joel B. Mann
Journal: Annals of Internal Medicine (1967)

Editorial Notes1 October 1967Diagnostic Aids in Organophosphate PoisoningJOEL B. MANN, M.D.JOEL B. MANN, M.D.Search for more papers by this authorAuthor, Article, and Disclosure Informationhttps://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-67-4-905 SectionsAboutPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail ExcerptA recent report (1) of the undiagnosed, untreated death of 86% of patients with acute parathion intoxication underscores the need for the rapid diagnosis of organophosphate poisoning. The initial clues must be clinical, and, even should no history be obtainable, the classic findings of parasympathetic hyperactivity, that is, miosis, salivation, profuse pulmonary secretions, cyanosis, and bradycardia, should suggest intoxication with an anticholinesterase.*Laboratory confirmation of organophosphate intoxication is critically important since the carbamates, a class of cholinesterase inhibitors in which therapy with pralidoxime chloride is contraindicated (3), induce a similar clinical presentation (3, 4). Plasma cholinesterase activity, as measured by...References1. DAVIESDAVISFRAZIERMANNWELKE JEJHDEJBJO: Urinary p-nitrophenol concentrations in acute and chronic parathion exposures, in Organic Pesticides in the Environment. Advances in Chemistry Series, no. 60. American Chemical Society, Washington, D. C., 1966, p. 67-78. CrossrefGoogle Scholar2. DAVISDAVIESFISK JHJEAJ: Occurrence, diagnosis and treatment of organophosphate pesticide poisoning in man. Bull. N. Y. Acad. Sci. In press. Google Scholar3. HAYES WJ: Clinical Handbook on Economic Poisons. U. S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D. C., 1963, pp. 44-47. Google Scholar4. REICHWELKE GAJO: Death due to a pesticide. New Eng. J. Med. 274: 1432, 1966. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar5. WYCKOFFDAVIESBARQUETDAVIS DWJEAJH: Diagnostic and therapeutic problems of parathion poisonings. In preparation. Google Scholar6. ELLIOTTWALKERPENICKDURHAM JWKCAEWF: A sensitive procedure for urinary p-nitrophenol determination as a measure of exposure to parathion. J. Agr. Food Chem. 8: 111, 1960. CrossrefGoogle Scholar7. GELDMACHER-VON MALLINKRODTDEINZER MK: [Rapid determination of p-nitrophenol in the urine as an indication of E-605 poisoning.] (Ger.) Deutsch. Med. Wschr. 91: 1381, 1966. MedlineGoogle Scholar8. DAVIESDAVISFRAZIERMANNREICH JEJHDEJBGA: Disturbances of metabolism in acute pesticide poisoning. Industr. Med. Surg. 35: 600, 1966. Google Scholar This content is PDF only. To continue reading please click on the PDF icon. Author, Article, and Disclosure InformationAffiliations: Department of Medicine University of Miami School of Medicine Miami, Fla.*Mydriasis may occur in approximately 10% of parathion intoxications (2). PreviousarticleNextarticle Advertisement FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Metrics Cited byAtropine in the management of anticholinesterase poisoningAnticholinesterase Poisoning in Turkey - Clinical, Laboratory and Radiologic Evaluation of 269 casesOcular miotic and irritative effects of aerosol and topically applied dichlorvos and propoxur insecticides on rabbit and monkey eyesSevere Organophosphate Poisoning Complicated by Alcohol and Turpentine Ingestion 1 October 1967Volume 67, Issue 4Page: 905-906KeywordsBlood plasmaBradycardiaChloridesCholinesterase inhibitorsIntoxicationResearch laboratoriesSalivation ePublished: 1 December 2008 Issue Published: 1 October 1967 PDF downloadLoading ...