Treatment of Insecticide Poisoning

TABLE 4-4. Recommended tests for psychiatric evaluation of insecticide exposure 

Complete blood count, electrolytes, liver and renal function tests 

Red blood cell count and plasma cholinesterase (for organophosphates) 

Urinalysis and urine pesticide/metabolite screen—if recent exposure 

Lymphocyte and platelet neuropathy target esterase assay 

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Selected Biological Aspects. - The catalytic antibody-mediated hydrolysis of the insecticide paraoxon (100) and analogues 101 have been investigated with a view to developing antibodies for use in the treatment of insecticide poisoning. Two-dimensional inverse NMR spectroscopy has been applied to the... 

Plestina, R. (1984). Prevention. Diagnosis anti Treatment of insecticide Poisoning, WHOA BC/84.88. World Health Organization, Geneva. 

EllenhomMJ. 1997. Pesticides Insecticides. In Ellenhom s medical toxicology Diagnosis and treatment of human poisoning. Baltimore, MD Williams Wilkins, 1614-1631. 

Which of the following is an agent useful in the treatment of severe poisoning by organophosphorus insecticides, such as parathion ... 

Susceptible (S) and Resistant (R) Fish, Some of Which Were Exhibiting Symptoms (s) and Others not Exhibiting Symptoms (a) of Insecticide Poisoning. Treatment Consisted of a 6 hr Exposure to 14c-endrina. 

The only two randomized controlled clinical trials performed so far did not result in a final proof of the efficacy of the oximes in the treatment of poisonings induced by the OP insecticides in humans due to methodological problems (Eddleston et al., 2002). However, experimental and clinical experience suggests that among the pyridinium oximes, obidoxime andtrimedoxime, although relatively toxic, could provide reactivation and antidotal protection against most of the OP insecticides. In addition, HI-6 has proved to be effective in the treatment of soman-poisoned animals and safe and effective in patients poisoned with diethoxy OPs. 

Exposure to insecticides also carries high risk for posttraumatic stress disorder. Insecticides exacerbate preexisting mental conditions, and atropine treatment of OP poisoning may induce psychotic symptoms. Incomplete assessment may overlook organophosphate-induced delayed neuropathy presenting as fatigue or weakness. 

Atropine is also useful in cases of poisoning. In particular, it may be employed in the treatment of anticholinesterase poisoning by organophosphorus insecticides, and of the muscarinic effects due to Amanita muscaria ingestion. 

Prophylaxis and treatment of OP poisoning <9-Pinacolyl methylphosphono-fluoridate or soman is an extremely toxic OP poison that has been used in chemical warfare and terrorism. However, most OP compounds are used in industry and in veterinary and human medicine as insecticides [77, 78]. OPs are irreversible inhibitors of AChE, resulting in accumulation of ACh at the synaptic junctions, which causes severe cholinergic symptoms, e.g., tremors and seizure, progressing to impairment of respiratory drive and coma [77]. HupA has been tested as... 

To date, within the scope of the writers information, there has been no residual deposit or poison residue recovered from treated fruits or vegetables, where proper formulations and amounts of the pure gamma isomer have been used not later than 2 weeks prior to crop harvest. Likewise, there is no known record of poisoning to man or animals from applying the insecticide or eating food treated with the insecticide. Freedom from poisonous residue and undesirable taste in the use of the pure gamma isomer of hexa-chlorocyclohexane is achieved therfeore by proper formulation, timing, and application of insecticide treatments. 

Zinc phenolsulfonate has been used in insecticide formulations and in veterinary practice for the treatment of ulcers. Zinc phosphate has been used in dental cement formulations and the phosphide in rat and field mice poisons. The propionate has been used as a fungicide on adhesive tape to reduce plaster irritation caused by moulds, fungi and bacteria the silicate has been used in television screens. 

The diterpenoid alkaloids, isolated mainly from Aconitum and Delphinium species (Ranunculaceae), have been of great interest since the early 1800s because of their pharmacological properties. Extracts of Aconitum species were used in ancient times for treatment of gout, hypertension, neuralgia, rheumatism, and even toothache. Extracts have also been used as arrow poisons. Some Delphinium species are extremely toxic and constitute a serious threat to livestock in the western United States and Canada. Delphinium extracts also manifest insecticidal properties. In the last 30 to 40 years, interest in the diterpenoid alkaloids has increased because of the complex structures and interesting chemistry involved. 

Sogorb, M.A., Vilanova, E., Carrera, V. (2004). Future applications of phosphotriesterases in the prophylaxis and treatment of organophosporus insecticide and nerve agent poisonings. Toxicol. Lett. 151 219-33. 

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