A fatal case of paraquat ingestion: clinical course and review of pathophysiology.
BACKGROUND
Exposure to the dipyridyl herbicide paraquat can cause many manifestations of toxicity, and is a common method of suicide in developing countries.


METHODS
We present a case of a 20 year old healthy gentleman who intentionally overdosed on paraquat in a suicide attempt. He presented to the hospital within 4 hours of ingestion. Despite standard supportive measures, the patient's clinical condition worsened. He developed ulceration of his oral mucosa. He also developed acute non-oliguric renal failure and acute liver injury. After his mental status began to deteriorate, the patient expired.


CONCLUSIONS
There are several therapies that may have helped this patient's condition. An explanation about the pathophysiology of toxicity and updated information on treatment is provided for this common condition with poor prognosis.
Hospital Tela Integrado, Tela, Honduras. Douglas.olson@yale.edu
Douglas P
DP
Olson
Juan A
JA
Diaz
Jose Dalio Gomez
JD
Jereda
D000975:Antioxidants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001774:Blood Chemical Analysis; D002057:Burns, Chemical / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D056486:Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury / Q000503:physiopathology*; D062787:Drug Overdose; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010269:Paraquat / Q000506:poisoning*; D051437:Renal Insufficiency / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000503:physiopathology*; D013405:Suicide; D055815:Young Adult
D000975:Antioxidants; D010269:Paraquat