Patel_2012_Arh.Hig.Rada.Toksikol_63_377

Several episodes of mass poisoning by organophosphates OPs have been reported from the developing countries The diagnosis of OP-poisoning is mainly based on the characteristic clinical features and history of exposure to a known OP compound Estimation of serum and red blood cell RBC cholinesterase activities are helpful in confi rming the diagnosis However there is controversy regarding a defi nite relationship between serum cholinesterase activity and the severity of clinical manifestations and prognosis This report describes an episode of mass monocrotophos poisoning that occurred due to accidental ingestion of monocrotophos-contaminated millet so called bavta fl our involving eight severely poisoned persons Clinical presentation included severe abdominal pain diarrhoea vomiting pupil narrowing and diffi culty breathing On hospital admission plasma cholinesterase PChE and especially RBC acetylcholinesterase AChE activities correlated well with clinical symptoms presented by the patients This case study highlights the need for clinicians to be aware of OP-pesticide poisoning from food sources and the need to look for depressed PChE and AChE activities that may point to OP exposure so that OP-poisoning can be identifi ed immediately and patients can receive specific treatment rather than general treatment for food poisoning.