title: Distribution of dimethoate in the body after a fatal organophosphate intoxication.
abstract: Many organophosphate pesticides (OPs) such as dimethoate are used to eradicate household pests, and those occurring in agriculture and forestry sectors. Combinations of two or more different insecticides have been manufactured to increase their effectiveness. A case of death is presented as suspected organophosphates intoxication. Autopsy was unremarkable except for grayish fluid in the stomach, with garlicky odor. A systematic toxicological analysis on post-mortem specimens revealed high concentrations of dimethoate in blood 38 microg/mL, urine 0.47 microg/mL, brain 2.2 microg/g, myocardial muscle 7.6 microg/g, liver 4.6 microg/g, lung 7.6 microg/g, skeletal muscle 21 microg/g, kidney 55 microg/g and gall bladder 31 microg/g. Blood alcohol was 2.85 g/L, cyclohexanone and cyclohexanol were also detected in the blood but not quantified. The cause of death was determined as organophosphate intoxication.
authors.affiliation: Dubai Police H.Q., Forensic Science Department, Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Tarbah@gmx.de <Tarbah@gmx.de>
authors.forename: F A
authors.initials: FA
authors.lastname: Tarbah
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Shaheen
authors.forename: F A
authors.initials: FA
authors.lastname: Benomran
authors.forename: A I
authors.initials: AI
authors.lastname: Hassan
authors.forename: Th
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Daldrup
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002492:Central Nervous System Depressants / Q000097:blood; D004390:Chlorpyrifos / Q000032:analysis; D004117:Dimethoate / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000032:analysis / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D000431:Ethanol / Q000097:blood; D053593:Forensic Toxicology; D008401:Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; D005766:Gastrointestinal Contents / Q000737:chemistry; D006801:Humans; D007306:Insecticides / Q000032:analysis / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D008297:Male; D009946:Organothiophosphorus Compounds / Q000506:poisoning*; D014018:Tissue Distribution
chemical_list: D002492:Central Nervous System Depressants; D007306:Insecticides; D009946:Organothiophosphorus Compounds; C002302:dimethoxon; D000431:Ethanol; D004390:Chlorpyrifos; D004117:Dimethoate