Single fibre electromyographic changes in man after organophosphate exposure

Dj, Baker; Sedgwick, E.M.

doi:10.1177/096032719601500501

Cited by 64 publications

(21 citation statements)

References 13 publications

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“…Baker & Sedgwick [71] carried out single fibre electromyographic (SFEMG) studies in subjects exposed to OP agents. A phenomenon referred to as 'jitter' was observed.…”

Section: The Intermediate Syndrome [60]mentioning

confidence: 99%

Organophosphorus poisoning and anaesthesia

1999

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SummaryOrganophosphorus compounds, used as insecticides and agents of chemical warfare, are a major global cause of health problems. These irreversible inhibitors of cholinesterase produce three wellrecognised clinical entities: the initial cholinergic phase, which is a medical emergency often requiring management in an intensive care unit; the intermediate syndrome, during which prolonged ventilatory care is necessary; and delayed polyneuropathy. In addition, disturbances of body temperature and endocrine function, electrolyte imbalances, immunological dysfunction and disorders of reproduction have been reported in animals and man. Vocal cord paralysis, pancreatitis, cardiac arrhythmias and a wide range of neuropsychiatric disorders are known to follow acute and chronic exposure to organophosphorus compounds. As a result of the inhibition of plasma cholinesterase, there can be increased sensitivity to drugs hydrolysed by this enzyme, e.g. suxamethonium and mivacurium. The inhibition of acetylcholinesterase causes dysfunction at the neuromuscular junction which can produce altered responses to nondepolarising neuromuscular blockers. Anaesthetists may encounter patients exposed to organophosphorus compounds either following acute poisoning, trauma (warfare) or as patients with a wide range of nonspecific disorders presenting for surgery. The traditional use of oximes and atropine in treatment has failed to reduce the morbidity and mortality associated with poisoning. The roles of agents that have reduced the toxicity of organophosphorus compounds in animal experiments are discussed as potential therapeutic agents. There is an urgent need for accurate information on the problems associated with exposure to organophosphorus compounds. This would best be achieved by collaborative research between technologically advanced countries and developing countries, where organophosphorus compounds are a leading cause of ill health.

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“…Baker & Sedgwick [71] carried out single fibre electromyographic (SFEMG) studies in subjects exposed to OP agents. A phenomenon referred to as 'jitter' was observed.…”

Section: The Intermediate Syndrome [60]mentioning

confidence: 99%

Organophosphorus poisoning and anaesthesia

1999

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“…Controlled human studies of very low doses were conducted from the 1940s to the 1980s (15,30). Accidental exposures of chemical agent workers and use of chemical weapons by terrorists have also contributed to the body of human data.…”

Section: Ch2-ch2-ci S Ch2-ch2-cimentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Recovery of ChE activity can take months (87,95,96). It has also been reported that electroencephalogram and electromyogram abnormalities can persist for over a year and are sometimes not demonstrable without highly sophisticated techniques (15,(19)(20)(21)(22)79). This perspective was potentially corroborated by the Tokyo incident.…”

Section: Ch2-ch2-ci S Ch2-ch2-cimentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Potential targets include women in military and civilian populations (4). There is also concern over sublethal effects produced by relatively low doses over relatively long exposure periods (12)(13)(14)(15)(16)(17)(18). There are few such data, particularly for appropriate exposure routes.…”

Section: Ch2-ch2-ci S Ch2-ch2-cimentioning

confidence: 99%

“…It is also noteworthy that these major agent classes have not changed in over 50 years (1,2. What has changed recently is our perception of the potency of the chemical agents (3), the inclusion of more women in the military, and the likelihood that targets may include civilians (4). We have also become concerned with the nonlethal, persistent, and delayed effects that may be produced (5)(6)(7)(8)(9)(10)(11)(12)(13)(14)(15)(16)(17)(18)(19)(20)(21)(22). These issues are put into better perspective with some background knowledge of the effects of chemical weapons on humans, particularly via routes of exposure likely to be encountered following wartime release.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

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Hazards of chemical weapons release during war: new perspectives.

Reutter

1999

Environ Health Perspect

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The two major threat classes of chemical weapons are mustard gas and the nerve agents, and this has not changed in over 50 years. Both types are commonly called gases, but they are actually liquids that are not re ly voatile. These agents were designed specifically to harm people by any route of exposure and to be effective at low doses. Mustard gas was used in World War I, and the nerve agents were developed shortly before, during, and after World War II. Our perception of the potency of chemical weapons has changed, as well as our concern over potential effects of prolonged exposures to low doses and potential target populations that indude women and cildren. Many of the toxicologic studies and human toxicity esmates for both mustard and nerve agents were designed for the purpose of quickly developing maximal casualties in the least sensitive male soldier. The 'toxcity" of the chemical weapons has not changed, but our perception of 'toxicity" has.

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The electromyographic signal as a presymptomatic indicator of organophosphates in the body

et al. 2005

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Organophosphate (OP) compounds are present in household and agricultural pesticides as well as in nerve agents. The toxic effects of these chemicals result from their anticholinesterase activity, which disrupts nerve junctions and parasympathetic effector sites, leading to a variety of symptoms and possible death. When the anticholinesterase agents in OP compounds reach the neuromuscular junction, they cause a disruption in the firing of muscle fiber action potentials. This effect has the potential of altering the time course of the electromyographic (EMG) signal detected by surface electrodes. We investigated the association between OP compound dose, surface EMG changes, and overt signs of OP toxicity. Daily doses of 10-15 microg/kg of diisopropylfluorophosphate (DFP) were injected into the calf muscle of four rhesus monkeys while surface EMG signals were recorded from two thigh muscles bilaterally. With increasing number of doses, the EMG signal presented an increasing number of time gaps. The presence of the gaps was evident prior to any overt symptoms of cholinesterase toxicity. These findings can lead to the development of noninvasive technology for indicating the presence of OP compounds in muscle tissue prior to clinical abnormalities.

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Single fibre electromyographic changes in man after organophosphate exposure

Cited by 64 publications

References 13 publications

Organophosphorus poisoning and anaesthesia

Organophosphorus poisoning and anaesthesia

Hazards of chemical weapons release during war: new perspectives.

The electromyographic signal as a presymptomatic indicator of organophosphates in the body

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