A PROSPECTIVE STUDY OF THE TOXIC EFFECTS IN PATIENTS WITH ORGANOPHOSPHATE INSECTICIDES POISONING

Abstract

Organophosphates (OP) are the most widely used insecticides that cause poisoning after accidental, occupational or suicidal exposure. Poisoning is particularly common in the developing countries where more potent agents are widely available for agricultural and household purposes. Organophosphates irreversibly inhibit the enzyme acetylcholinesterase (AChE), allowing the accumulation of excesstve acetylcholine (Ach) at muscanmc receptors (cholinergic effector cells), nicotinic receptors (skeletal neuromuscular junction and autonomic ganglia) and in the central nervous system (CNS). The aim of this work was to throw light on the sociodemographic presentation as well as the clinical manifestations of patients with OP poisoning. Also, evaluation of the OP toxic effects on the liver, kidney and pancreas were evaluated. This work was carried out on 50 adult patients of both sexes admitted with OP poisoning to the PCC of Ain Shams University hospitals, during the period from the 15th of February to the 15th of July 2000. The cases were chosen so that they have no history of previous diseases including liver, kidney, respiratory, CVS, GIT, pancreas or CNS. Based on their clinical presentation and confirmed by initial confirmation by PChE inhibition the patients were divided into three groups; mild group with PChE level 20 to 50% of the normal value (group II),