Unusual manifestations after malathion poisoning.
We report a case of organophosphate poisoning with a commercial preparation of malathion (deliberate ingestion of Malathane Garden Spray: malathion 15% in isopropyl alcohol) in which the initial cholinergic crisis was followed by cardiac, pulmonary, neurological and renal manifestations. They occurred when erythrocyte and plasma cholinesterases were reactivating. A chemical analysis of the pesticide preparation revealed, apart from malathion itself, the presence of isopropylmalathion and O,O,S-trimethylphosphorothioate. Although pure malathion is regarded as one of the safest organophosphate insecticides, this observation underlines the possibility of severe complications after exposure to a preparation which has been stored for a long period of time.
Dive
A
A
Centre de toxicologie clinique, U.C.L. Saint-Luc, Bruxelles, Belgium.
Mahieu
P
P
Van Binst
R
R
Hassoun
A
A
Lison
D
D
De Bisschop
H
H
Nemery
B
B
Lauwerys
R
R
D000368:Aged; D002800:Cholinesterase Inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism / Q000506:poisoning*; D005260:Female; D008401:Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; D006801:Humans; D008294:Malathion / Q000378:metabolism / Q000506:poisoning*; D013406:Suicide, Attempted; D013997:Time Factors
D002800:Cholinesterase Inhibitors; D008294:Malathion