A case of unusual suicidal poisoning by the organophosphorus insecticide dimethoate.
A 20-year-old male who attempted suicide by injecting subcutaneously 10 ml of Sistemin 40 (40% dimethoate) was admitted 16 h later. General weakness, muscular fibrillations and a marked inhibition of red blood cell and serum cholinesterases were the prominent signs of intoxication. The antidotal treatment of intermittent boluses of atropine, oxime HI-6 and diazepam was combined with symptomatic therapy. Cholinesterase activity decreased within the next 3 d. In contrast to the marked general improvement of the patient, the return of cholinesterase activities was very slow. The patient was discharged 24 d after the poisoning with no notable consequences which could be ascribed to the intoxication.
Jovanović
D
D
Military Technical Institute, Medical Department, Belgrade, Yugoslavia.
Randjelović
S
S
Joksović
D
D
D000328:Adult; D000931:Antidotes / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001285:Atropine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003975:Diazepam / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004117:Dimethoate / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000506:poisoning*; D006801:Humans; D007279:Injections, Subcutaneous; D008297:Male; D010091:Oximes; D011726:Pyridinium Compounds / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013405:Suicide
D000931:Antidotes; D010091:Oximes; D011726:Pyridinium Compounds; D001285:Atropine; C022870:asoxime chloride; D003975:Diazepam; D004117:Dimethoate