A Review of Organophosphate Poisoning

Abstract

Many organophosphate compounds are pesticides widely used for the control of insect vectors. They are not ideal agents because they lack target vector selectivity, and have caused severe toxicity and even death in humans and domestic animals. Their toxicity has been recognised since the 1930s, when they were also developed for use as chemical warfare agents. The mechanism of action of organophosphates has been determined in some depth; the understanding of the toxic effects resulting from the inhibition of cholinesterase activity, causing accumulation of acetylcholine at nerve endings has played a major part in providing a rationale for specific antidote treatment using atropine and oximes. However, the most suitable oxime for reactivation of cholinesterases has still not been established with certainty, although pralidoxime is widely recommended. Chronic toxicity, particularly the neuropathic effects, merits further study because it contributes substantially to the long term morbidity in cases of severe acute, or chronic, exposure. Prevention of potentially toxic organophosphate exposure, particularly amongst employees in industries manufacturing or using the compounds and in the most susceptible groups of the population, such as the young and the elderly, should be sought wherever possible. Government authorities should be encouraged to control organophosphate product licensing, manufacture, storage, import, methods of use and delivery, food contamination and disposal.

Organophosphorus Compound Poisoning and Its Outcome: Experience from a Teaching Hospital of Bangladeh

“…2 The environmental protection agency of the United States estimated that 3,000 hospitalizations per year were for insecticide poisoning with a fatality rate of 50% in the paediatric age group and 10% in adult. 6 OPC poisoning is a common medical emergency in Bangladesh. Begum et al in their study carried out in four hospitals of Chittagong division observed OPC poisoning as leading cause of morbidity and mortality due to poisoning.…”

Liver prenylated methylated protein methyl esterase is the same enzyme as sus scrofa carboxylesterase

“…The active site hydroxyl group of the catalytic serine residue of serine hydrolases is often the target of various compounds that covalently modify it resulting in the loss of enzymatic activity [13,19]. The compounds, thus acting as pseudosubstrates, react with the enzyme but unlike the normal carboxylester substrates, the pseudosubstrates are not converted to products.…”

Audiological Assessment in Organophosphorus Compound Poisoning

“…Their toxicities has been received equal importance and based on these properties the chemical warfare agents are developed [3]. In the last 50 years different OPC has been synthesized and marketed [4,5].…”