title: Observation on a human intentional poisoning case by the organophosphorus insecticide fenthion.
abstract: A case of acute poisoning by oral ingestion of fenthion is reported. Plasma cholinesterase activity and fenthion whole blood concentration were thoroughly evaluated during the therapeutic intervention that consisted in administration of atropine, toxogonine and fresh plasma. Correlation studies between clinical signs, cholinesterase activity and fenthion levels revealed that pChE activity was not as helpful as the patient's clinical status in determining when the atropine infusion could be stopped. Moreover pChE was also useless in signaling sudden relapses. It is concluded, based on this case, that supportive care combined with antidotal therapy remains the cornerstone of treatment specially in severe acute poisoning cases.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, University of Los Andes, Mérida, Venezuela.
authors.forename: M R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Brunetto
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Burguera
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Burguera
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Villegas
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bastidas
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002802:Cholinesterases / Q000097:blood; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005284:Fenthion / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000506:poisoning*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011041:Poisoning / Q000628:therapy; D013406:Suicide, Attempted
chemical_list: D005284:Fenthion; D002802:Cholinesterases