Acute multiple organ failure with imidacloprid and alcohol ingestion.
Imidacloprid [1-(6-chloro-3-pyridylmethyl)-N-nitroimidazolidin-2-ylideneamine] belongs to a relatively new class of insecticidal chemistry, the chloronicotinyl neonicotinoid compounds. Animal studies indicate relatively low toxicity to mammals due to nicotinic receptor resistance. Human poisoning is usually mild, and reports are quite limited. Here, we report a case of ingestion of alcohol with an insecticide containing imidacloprid. Clinical manifestation included mild disorientation, followed by bradycardia, ventricular arrhythmia, and cardiopulmonary arrest. Acute multiple organ failure, including oliguric kidney injury, acute lung injury, hypotension, and metabolic acidosis developed within hours of ingestion. Renal replacement therapy, including intermittent hemodialysis and continuous venovenous hemodialysis, quickly corrected the metabolic acidosis with better blood pressure. Despite original belief that imidacloprid has low mammalian toxicity, there is increasing evidence that imidacloprid may cause heart, kidney, and other organ damages and even death besides gastrointestinal irritation and neurological symptoms. The role of aldehyde oxidase, imidacloprid metabolites, and ethanol alcohol consumption in the pathogenesis of imidacloprid toxicity needs further study.
Department of Emergency, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan.
I-Jeng
IJ
Yeh
Tzeng-Jih
TJ
Lin
Daw-Yang
DY
Hwang
D000368:Aged; D000431:Ethanol / Q000506:poisoning*; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D006801:Humans; D007093:Imidazoles / Q000506:poisoning*; D007306:Insecticides / Q000506:poisoning*; D008297:Male; D009102:Multiple Organ Failure / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000628:therapy; D000073943:Neonicotinoids; D009574:Nitro Compounds / Q000506:poisoning*; D011041:Poisoning / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D013406:Suicide, Attempted
D007093:Imidazoles; D007306:Insecticides; D000073943:Neonicotinoids; D009574:Nitro Compounds; C082359:imidacloprid; D000431:Ethanol