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Background The main objective of this study to evaluate the association between CPK-MB, CPK, LDH levels and ECG changes to find out the prognosis in patients of organophosphorous poisoning. Methods This was a prospective observational hospital-based study conducted among 94 adult patients who were admitted with history of organophosphorous compound poisoning to the Department of Toxicology in Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital, Chennai, after obtaining clearance from Institutional Ethics Committee and written informed consent from the study participants. Results The comparison of initial ECG abnormalities and mean CPK, mean CK-MB, mean LDH values showed a positive correlation with statistical significance. The CPK values & CK-MB values at the time of initial evaluation were found to be significantly higher among the deceased patients in comparison to those discharged. Also, a study on the initial LDH value of deceased patients revealed significantly higher levels as compared to those that of the discharged patients. Conclusion Mortality was observed only in patients whose on admission ECG had QTc prolongation, conduction block, QRS changes, VT and VF. It was observed that the CPK, CK-MB, LDH levels recorded were frequently higher among the OPC poisoning patients. The CPK, CPKMB and LDH values recorded at the time of admission exhibited significantly higher values in the case of the deceased than that of the discharged. On admission, CPK, CK-MB, LDH levels were significantly higher in patients with abnormal ECG as compared to normal ECG. Within each ECG parameter, significant difference was observed in CPK, CK-MB, LDH levels among survived and expired patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Pesticides are chemicals that have become common household products in developing countries. The purpose of pesticides is to manage agricultural work. The majority of pesticides for indoor and agricultural use are carbamate and organophosphorus. Toxicity is caused due to excess and improper use or disposal of these chemical agents. Slow exposure to pesticides causes chronic poisoning whereas rapid exposure causes acute poisoning. The paraoxonase I (PON 1) enzyme has a role in detoxifying some of the oxon derivatives which thereby inhibit acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase. Methods: This study analyzed farmers who were exposed intermittently to organophosphorus and carbamates pesticides during farming for more than five years. Serum paraoxonase I was evaluated by colorimetry method, and hemoglobin levels were evaluated using portable Fresenius Kabi haemoglobinometer. Results: The study showed that the pesticides were found in the blood and urine samples of farmers and there was an alteration of paraoxonase I and hemoglobin levels in them due to the exposure of pesticides in large quantities over some time. The present study showed around 81% of the participants who were intermittently exposed to pesticides for more than five years were detected with pesticide toxicity. The paraoxonase I level was altered in farmers who were positive for organophosphorus and carbamate pesticides. The hemoglobin level did not show much variation among the farmers exposed to pesticides. This may be due to the lifestyle of the subjects, climatic variations and also their eating habits. Conclusions: The study suggested that there was alteration in the levels of PON1 and hemoglobin in farmers and agricultural workers with positive organophosphorus and carbamates in their blood and urine samples. As our study was done without quantifying the amount of pesticides, further studies can be done by quantifying the pesticide level and comparing it with the paraoxonase I level.

Background: Pesticides are chemicals that have become common household products in developing countries. The purpose of pesticides is to manage agricultural work. The majority of pesticides for indoor and agricultural use are carbamate and organophosphorus. Toxicity is caused due to excess and improper use or disposal of these chemical agents. Slow exposure to pesticides causes chronic poisoning whereas rapid exposure causes acute poisoning. The paraoxonase I (PON 1) enzyme has a role in detoxifying some of the oxon derivatives which thereby inhibit acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase. Methods: This study analyzed farmers who were exposed intermittently to organophosphorus and carbamates pesticides during farming for more than five years. Serum paraoxonase I was evaluated by colorimetry method, and hemoglobin levels were evaluated using portable Fresenius Kabi haemoglobinometer. Results: The study showed that the pesticides were found in the blood and urine samples of farmers and there was an alteration of paraoxonase I and hemoglobin levels in them due to the exposure of pesticides in large quantities over some time. The present study showed around 81% of the participants who were intermittently exposed to pesticides for more than five years were detected with pesticide toxicity. The paraoxonase I level was altered in farmers who were positive for organophosphorus and carbamate pesticides. The hemoglobin level did not show much variation among the farmers exposed to pesticides. This may be due to the lifestyle of the subjects, climatic variations and also their eating habits. Conclusions: The study suggested that there was alteration in the levels of PON1 and hemoglobin in farmers and agricultural workers with positive organophosphorus and carbamates in their blood and urine samples. As our study was done without quantifying the amount of pesticides, further studies can be done by quantifying the pesticide level and comparing it with the paraoxonase I level.

Background: Pesticides are chemicals that have become common household products in developing countries. The purpose of pesticides is to manage agricultural work. The majority of pesticides for indoor and agricultural use are carbamate and organophosphorus. Toxicity is caused due to excess and improper use or disposal of these chemical agents. Slow exposure to pesticides causes chronic poisoning whereas rapid exposure causes acute poisoning. The paraoxonase I (PON 1) enzyme has a role in detoxifying some of the oxon derivatives which thereby inhibit acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase. Methods: This study analyzed farmers who were exposed intermittently to organophosphorus and carbamates pesticides during farming for more than five years. Serum paraoxonase I was evaluated by colorimetry method, and hemoglobin levels were evaluated using portable Fresenius Kabi haemoglobinometer. Results: The study showed that the pesticides were found in the blood and urine samples of farmers and there was an alteration of paraoxonase I and hemoglobin levels in them due to the exposure of pesticides in large quantities over some time. The present study showed around 81% of the participants who were intermittently exposed to pesticides for more than five years were detected with pesticide toxicity. The paraoxonase I level was altered in farmers who were positive for organophosphorus and carbamate pesticides. The hemoglobin level did not show much variation among the farmers exposed to pesticides. This may be due to the lifestyle of the subjects, climatic variations and also their eating habits. Conclusions: The study suggested that there was alteration in the levels of PON1 and hemoglobin in farmers and agricultural workers with positive organophosphorus and carbamates in their blood and urine samples. As our study was done without quantifying the amount of pesticides, further studies can be done by quantifying the pesticide level and comparing it with the paraoxonase I level.

Poisoning is the most common mode of unnatural death in South East Asia, causing hundreds of thousand deaths per year. Organophosphorus (OP) compounds are commonly used as pesticides. Easy availability and widespread use has increased the likelihood of poisoning with these compounds. The present study was done to predict severity in acute organophosphate poisoning with clinical scoring and serum pseudocholinesterase levels. Total 60 patients of acute organophosphorus poisoning patients are enrolled in the study after fulfilling inclusion and exclusion criteria. The study was done at IGMC Shimla, Himachal Pradesh in the period of june 2018 to July 2019. POP score was applied and serum psuedocholinestrase levels are estimated. Suitable statistical methods applied to assess correlation and variables. Majority of patients were aged between 21 to 40 years, with M:F ratio of 2:1. Most common consumed compound was chlorpyriphos and mainly for suicidal intent. Bradycardia was the most common clinical feature. There was significant correlation between the severity of poisoning categorized by the POP scale and the serum cholinesterase at the time of initial presentation of the patients, requirements of atropine on the first day of admission, the total amount of dose of atropine , atropine needed and the average duration of hospital stay(

Poisoning is the most common mode of unnatural death in South East Asia, causing hundreds of thousand deaths per year. Organophosphorus (OP) compounds are commonly used as pesticides. Easy availability and widespread use has increased the likelihood of poisoning with these compounds. The present study was done to predict severity in acute organophosphate poisoning with clinical scoring and serum pseudocholinesterase levels. Total 60 patients of acute organophosphorus poisoning patients are enrolled in the study after fulfilling inclusion and exclusion criteria. The study was done at IGMC Shimla, Himachal Pradesh in the period of June 2018 to July 2019. POP score was applied and serum pseudocholine esterase levels are estimated. Suitable statistical methods applied to assess correlation and variables. Majority of patients were aged between 21 to 40 years, with M:F ratio of 2:1. Most common consumed compound was chlorpyriphos and mainly for suicidal intent. Bradycardia was the most common clinical feature. There was significant correlation between the severity of poisoning categorized by the POP scale and the serum cholinesterase at the time of initial presentation of the patients, requirements of atropine on the first day of admission, the total amount of dose of atropine, atropine needed and the average duration of hospital stay(<0.01) . We concluded that POP score scale is useful for determining the severity of the poisoning. POP scale can be used to treat OP poisoning patients in terms of need of ventilator, hospital stay and atropine dose; at the same time being important indicator of mortality. POP scale can be used readily in all level of health care from primary to tertiary level health care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Organophosphorus poisoning (OPP) is a major concern for developing countries. There are no guidelines for the prophylactic use of antibiotics in the management of OPP which in such critical cases might add to the economic burden of the patients as well as antibiotic resistance. We compared the health and economic outcomes in patients prescribed with prophylactic antibiotics with respect to the patients not prescribed with any antibiotics. Methods: A retrospective observational study was carried out for two years for patients admitted to ICU with OPP. Patients were graded for severity of OPP, and divided into two groups based on prophylactic prescription and no prescription of antibiotics. The length of stay (LOS), hospitalization cost and outcomes were measured and compared between the two groups using statistical tests. Results: Out of the 254 patients observed, 108 were prescribed with prophylactic antibiotics and 94 were not prescribed with any antibiotic. There was a significant difference between LOS, cost of treatment and outcomes in the two groups (p

Background: Organophosphorus poisoning (OPP) is a major global public health problem. Pralidoxime has been used in a complimentary role to atropine for the management of OPP. World Health Organization (WHO) recommends use of pralidoxime but studies regarding its role have been inconclusive, ranging from being ineffective to harmful or beneficial. Materials and Methods: The present study was undertaken to evaluate the effectiveness of pralidoxime. Eddleston′s study was the most compelling factor for our study, as he showed worst outcomes using pralidoxime. Our practice of continuous use of pralidoxime was based on the WHO guidelines and the study by Pawar (2006), which showed better outcome with higher doses of pralidoxime. These conflicting results suggested that a re-evaluation of its use in our clinical practice was indicated. Results: There was no difference in mortality rates, hemodynamic parameters and atropine requirements between the AP and A groups. Mean duration of ventilation (3.6 ± 4.6 in AP group vs. 3.6 ± 4.4 in A group) and Intensive Care Unit stay (7.1 ± 5.4 in AP group vs. 6.8 ± 4.7 in A group) was comparable. Serum sodium concentrations showed a correlation with mortality, with lower concentrations associated with better outcomes. Conclusion: The study suggests that add-on WHO-recommended pralidoxime therapy does not provide any benefit over atropine monotherapy. Adding pralidoxime does not seem to be beneficial and at the same time does not result in increased mortality rates. Our practice changed after completion of this study, and it has proven to be of significant benefit to patients who had to bear the expense of treatment.

Background: Pesticides are chemicals that have become common household products in developing countries. The purpose of pesticides is to manage agricultural work. The majority of pesticides for indoor and agricultural use are carbamate and organophosphorus. Toxicity is caused due to excess and improper use or disposal of these chemical agents. Slow exposure to pesticides causes chronic poisoning whereas rapid exposure causes acute poisoning. The paraoxonase I (PON 1) enzyme has a role in detoxifying some of the oxon derivatives which thereby inhibit acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase. Methods: This study analyzed farmers who were exposed intermittently to organophosphorus and carbamates pesticides during farming for more than five years. Serum paraoxonase I was evaluated by colorimetry method, and hemoglobin levels were evaluated using portable Fresenius Kabi haemoglobinometer. Results: The study showed that the pesticides were found in the blood and urine samples of farmers and there was an alteration of paraoxonase I and hemoglobin levels in them due to the exposure of pesticides in large quantities over some time. The present study showed around 81% of the participants who were intermittently exposed to pesticides for more than five years were detected with pesticide toxicity. The paraoxonase I level was altered in farmers who were positive for organophosphorus and carbamate pesticides. The hemoglobin level did not show much variation among the farmers exposed to pesticides. This may be due to the lifestyle of the subjects, climatic variations and also their eating habits. Conclusions: The study suggested that there was alteration in the levels of PON1 and hemoglobin in farmers and agricultural workers with positive organophosphorus and carbamates in their blood and urine samples. As our study was done without quantifying the amount of pesticides, further studies can be done by quantifying the pesticide level and comparing it with the paraoxonase I level., Competing Interests: No competing interests were disclosed., (Copyright: © 2023 Bhat V et al.)

Background: Poisoning with organophosphorous substances is the commonest cause of inpatient mortality among all poisonings in developing countries like India. This study is undertaken with an aim of assessing simple parameters like GCS and QTc (marker of ventricular arrythmias) in predicting the outcome and complications of organophosphate compound poisoning considering the mortality and sufferings of Organophosphorous poisoning patients. Aim: To assess the utility of GCS score and QTc interval in predicting prognosis in patients who had consumed organophosphate and carbamate poisoning and to assess whether the above parameters helps to identify the high risk groups requiring mechanical ventilation. Materials and methods: This study was conducted among 200 organophosphate and carbamate poisoning patients who were admitted at Government Rajaji Hospital, Madurai from February 2014 to September 2014. After taking detailed history and physical examination and investigations the Glasgow coma scale score and QTc interval at the time of admission was calculated. Patients with GCS score < 13 and QTc interval > 0.44s in males and 0.46s in females as poor outcome. Results: There was a linear relation with QTc interval and severity of Organophosphorous poisoning i.e. as the QTc interval increases the severity of poisoning increases. There was an inverse relationship between the GCS score and severity of Poisoning, .i.e. as the GCS decreases the severity of poisoning increases. Conclusion: Our study showed that respiratory failure in patients with OP compound poisoning can be predicted at admission by simple parameters like lower GCS and prolonged QTc interval in ECG. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Organophosphorus poisoning (OPP) is a major concern for developing countries. There are no guidelines for the prophylactic use of antibiotics in the management of OPP which in such critical cases might add to the economic burden of the patients as well as antibiotic resistance. We compared the health and economic outcomes in patients prescribed with prophylactic antibiotics with respect to the patients not prescribed with any antibiotics. Methods: A retrospective observational study was carried out for two years for patients admitted to ICU with OPP. Patients were graded for severity of OPP, and divided into two groups based on prophylactic prescription and no prescription of antibiotics. The length of stay (LOS), hospitalization cost and outcomes were measured and compared between the two groups using statistical tests. Results: Out of the 254 patients observed, 108 were prescribed with prophylactic antibiotics and 94 were not prescribed with any antibiotic. There was a significant difference between LOS, cost of treatment and outcomes in the two groups ( p < 0.001). When antibiotics were not prescribed, the odds of improvement was 1.854 times higher compared to those who received prophylactic antibiotics although after adjusting for severity of poisoning, significance was lost. On an average, 2–3 antibiotics were prescribed to every patient in the first group. Conclusion: OPP is an important health concern where issues of antibiotic misuse and overuse are practiced. Our study suggested that systemic antibiotic prophylaxis did not offer any advantage over non-use of any antibiotics in patients with OPP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Organophosphorus poisoning (OPP) is a major global public health problem. Pralidoxime has been used in a complimentary role to atropine for the management of OPP. World Health Organization (WHO) recommends use of pralidoxime but studies regarding its role have been inconclusive, ranging from being ineffective to harmful or beneficial. Materials and Methods: The present study was undertaken to evaluate the effectiveness of pralidoxime. Eddleston’s study was the most compelling factor for our study, as he showed worst outcomes using pralidoxime. Our practice of continuous use of pralidoxime was based on the WHO guidelines and the study by Pawar (2006), which showed better outcome with higher doses of pralidoxime. These conflicting results suggested that a re-evaluation of its use in our clinical practice was indicated. Results: There was no difference in mortality rates, hemodynamic parameters and atropine requirements between the AP and A groups. Mean duration of ventilation (3.6 ± 4.6 in AP group vs. 3.6 ± 4.4 in A group) and Intensive Care Unit stay (7.1 ± 5.4 in AP group vs. 6.8 ± 4.7 in A group) was comparable. Serum sodium concentrations showed a correlation with mortality, with lower concentrations associated with better outcomes. Conclusion: The study suggests that add-on WHO-recommended pralidoxime therapy does not provide any benefit over atropine monotherapy. Adding pralidoxime does not seem to be beneficial and at the same time does not result in increased mortality rates. Our practice changed after completion of this study, and it has proven to be of significant benefit to patients who had to bear the expense of treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The increased use of organophosphate (OP) insecticides and the ever increasing possibility of terror groups using nerve agents underscore the need to develop effective and safe antidotes against OP poisoning. While intramuscular administration of nerve gas antidotes like atropine sulphate has certain lacunae, intravenous route is neither practical nor feasible in the field conditions for mass casualties. The objective was to develop a novel atropine sulphate nasal drop formulation, evaluate and characterize it using scintigraphy and to carry out safety–efficacy study in human volunteers with a view to obtain early pharmacological effects in comparison to the existing options, particularly the conventional intramuscular route. Methods: Permeability studies were done using atropine sulphate solution containing variable amount of chitosan. Radiometric method was developed for scintigraphy studies while standard spectroscopy was used for the quantification of atropine sulphate in fluids. Concentration of atropine sulphate in nasal drops to produce therapeutic concentration in blood was calculated. Six volunteers (age range 18–53 years) were administered the formulation delivering 6mg of atropine sulphate each. Bioavailability and atropinization were noted serially. Results: Based on the results of in vitro, human scintigraphy and analytical data, 1% atropine sulphate–0.5% chitosan was chosen as the final nasal formulation. Human bioavailability curve was created which showed that the therapeutic concentration of the drug in blood was reached within 5min with nasal drops suggesting that drug delivery through the nasal route is significantly better than the intramuscular route. Unpaired t-test between the means of baseline value of heart rate and that of each time interval showed that increase in heart rate of all the volunteers became significant at 15min (P <0.01) and extremely significant at 30min (P <0.001). Correlation was evident from 5min (c >0.7). Pupil diameter showed maximal increase at 30min (P <0.01). Conclusions: This novel product, 1% atropine sulphate–0.5% chitosan nasal drops might be a safe and efficacious emergency treatment of organophosphorous poisoning with several advantages over the present management, including early atropinization and capability of mass treatment in least amount of time. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

ABSTRACT Gacyclidine is a new phencyclidine derivative with neuroprotective properties. Tritiated gacyclidine and its enantiomers bind to NMDA receptors with binding parameters similar to those of other non-competitive NMDA receptor antagonists. The (-)enantiomer, (-)GK11, exhibits an affinity (2.5 nM) similar to that of dizocilpine (MK-801), while the (+)enantiomer, (+)GK11, has a 10 times lower affinity. When its interaction with NMDA receptors is prevented, gacyclidine binds also to 'non-NMDA' binding sites which are mainly located in the molecular layer of the cerebellum on the dendritic tree of Purkinje cells. These binding sites do not appear to be related to any known neuro transmitters. In primary cortical cultures, gacyclidine and its enantiomers, at 0.1 to 5.0 μ, prevent glutamate-induced neuronal death. In rats, in vivo neurotoxicity of gacyclidine is far low than that of MK-801. No necrotic neurons were detected in animals sacrificed at 18 or 96 h after treatment with gacyclidine (1, 5, 10 or 20 mg/kg i.v.). At the highest (20 mg/kg) but not the lower doses (1-100 mg/kg) electron microscopy revealed the presence of few cytoplasmic or intramitochondrial vacuoles. In soman-treated monkeys gacyclidine enhanced neuroprotective activity of 'three drugs cocktail' (atropine + di-azepam + pralidoxime). Moreover, in rats, gacyclidine exerts a dose- and time-dependent neuroprotection in three models of spinal cord lesion. Beneficial effects of gacyclidine include reduction of lesion size and improvement of functional parameters after injury. In traumatic brain injury models gacyclidine improves also behavioral parameters and neuronal survival. Optimal protection is obtained when gacyclidine is administered at 0 to 30 min after injury. It is, therefore, concluded that gacyclidine exhibits neuroprotective effects similar to those of other NMDA receptor antagonists, with the advantage of being substantially less neurotoxic maybe due to its interaction with 'non-NMDA' binding sites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have described here a new variant of life-threatening organophosphate toxicity syndrome, which produces a brief vocal cord paralysis. A 18 years old male patient with recent ingestion of unknown quantity of Organophosphorous poison, presented to our hospital with acute symptoms of profuse sweating, increased salivation and lacrimation for the first 12 hours. Later on he developed quadriparesis-lower motor neuron (LMN) type - Acute polyneuropathy-myelinopathy. He developed hoarseness of voice and regurgitation of fluids with both 9 and 10 cranial nerve palsies. The patient had developed acute Organophosphorous poison toxicity initially, followed by Intermediate Syndrome after 24 hours of ingestion with vocal cord palsy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A 32-year-old male presented with a history of consuming some organophosphorous com pound with suicidal intention. He was treated with atropine, pralidoxime, ventilator support. During stay patient had persistent irritability, tachycardiaand hypertension despite sedation and labetalol infusion. He developed headache, visual blurring hemiparesis and focal seizures. Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain revealed multifocal hyperintensities mainly in subcortical areas of parietal and occipital regions in T2-weighted images, with increased values of Apparent Diffusion Coefficient, suggesting posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES). The possibilities of PRES caused by organophosphorous poisoning either due to hypertension caused by autonomic deregulation or direct neurological toxicity has been discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]