• Journal of The Korean Society of Clinical Toxicology
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.27-35
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• 2007

Purpose: Organophosphate (OP) compounds insecticides are the most commonly associated with serious human toxicity all over the world. The aim of this study was to identify sociocultural factors that contribute to high incidence of pure OP poisoning and prevent OP poisoning in order to reduce the factors responsible for deaths in South Korea. Methods: This is the 38 multi-centers survey and prospective study of pure OP poisoning by structural reporting system and hospital records from August 2005 to July 2006. 238 patients with acute pure OP poisoning were enrolled. We collected patient information regarding poisoning, clinical, and demographic features. Results: The mean age was $55.32{\pm}17.3$ years old. The most frequent site of exposure was their own residence(85.7%). Frequent compounds involving pure OP poisoning were dichlorvos(22.7%), methidathion(8.4%), and phosphamidon(6.7%). Intentional poisoning was 77.9%. The most frequently route of exposure was ingestion(94.5%). The mean arrival time to hospital after poisoning was 12.7 hours and mean hospitalization duration was 12.9 days. 2-PAM was administered to 101 patients in mean doses of 6.3 g/day intravenously. Atropine was administered to 81 patients in mean doses of 74.6 mg/day (maximal 910 mg/day). The presence of lower level of GCS score, respiratory complications, hypotension, acute renal failure, and serious dysrhythmia was associated with serious and fatal poisoning. Overall final mortality in pure OP poisoning was 9.7%(23/238). Conclusion: This study highlights the problem of pure OP poisoning in South Korea as a basic national survey. Futhermore this might help the establishment of strict policies availability of OP and the statistics of OP poison exposure in South Korea.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Clinical Toxicology
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.116-122
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• 2020

Acute respiratory failure is an important risk factor for mortality in patients with acute pesticide poisoning. Therefore, it is necessary to investigate the risk factors to predict respiratory failure in these patients. This study retrospectively investigated the clinical features of respiratory failure among patients with acute pesticide poisoning requiring mechanical ventilation. This study included patients who were admitted with intentional poisoning by pesticide ingestion from January 2017 to December 2019. Paraquat intoxication was excluded. Among 469 patients with acute pesticide poisoning, 398 patients were enrolled in this study. The respiratory failure rate was 30.4%. The rate of respiratory failure according to the type of pesticide was carbamate (75.0%), organophosphate (52.6%), glufosinate (52.1%), glyphosate (23%), pyrethroid (8.9%), and others (17%). The mortality was 25.6% in the respiratory failure group. The risk factors for respiratory failure were old age, low body mass index, and ingestion of more than 300 mL. In conclusion, respiratory failure is a risk factor for mortality in pesticide poisoning. Old age, low body mass index, and ingestion of more than 300 mL are the risk factors for predicting respiratory failure.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Clinical Toxicology
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.9-15
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• 2008

Purpose: Dichlorvos has been in widespread use as an organophosphate (OP) insecticide compound. The purpose of this study was to access the epidemiology and clinical features of dichlorvos in Korea. Methods: This was a 38 multi-center prospective study of dichlorvos poisoning using surveys, a structural reporting system and review of hospital records from August 2005 to July 2006. A total of 54 patients with acute dichlorvos poisoning on a national basis were enrolled. We analyzed the epidemiologic characteristics and clinical manifestations of dichlorvos poisoning. In addition, the clinical features of dichlorvos poisoning were compared with others OP compounds. Results: During the study period, compounds involving pure OP poisoning were dichlorvos (22.7%), methidathion (8.4%), and phosphamidon (6.7%). In acute dichlorvos poisoning, all ingestion routes were oral. Intentional poisoning involved 74.1% of cases. The common initial complaints involved gastrointestinal (64.8%), systemic (61.1%), central or peripheral nervous system (53.7%), and respiratory symptoms (50.0%). The median arrival time to hospital after dichlorvos poisoning was 2.6 hours and mean hospitalization duration was 7.1 days. 2-PAM was administered in 35 patients in mean doses of 6.3 g/day intravenously. Atropine was administered in 30 patients with a mean dose of 62.8 mg/day (maximal 240 mg/day). Overall mortality rate for dichlorvos poisonings were 14.8% (8/54). Immediate causes for death included sudden cardiac arrest or ventricular dysrhythmias (50%), multi-organ failure (25%), acute renal failure (12.5%), and unknown causes (12.5%). Conclusion: When compared to previous reports, dichlorvos poisoning displayed relatively moderate severity. The presence of a lower GCS score, altered mental status, serious dysrhythmias, systemic shock, acute renal failure, and respiratory complications upon presentation were associated with a more serious and fatal poisoning.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Clinical Toxicology
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.161-165
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• 2006

Organophosphate insecticides, commonly used in agriculture, are a gradually increasing cause of accidental and suicidal poisoning. Intoxication can occur by ingestion, inhalation or dermal contact. Exposure to organophosphorus agents causes a sequentially triphasic illness consisting of the cholinergic phase, the intermediate syndrome, and organophosphate-induced delayed polyneuropathy. Acute pancreatitis as a rare complication of organophosphate intoxication has also been infrequently observed. We report a case of intoxication with organophosphate (phos-phamidon) by parenteral exposure (inhalation and/or dermal contact). A 34-year-old male patient was transferred to our Emergency Medical Center and was intubated due to a progressive respiratory failure. He presented with meiotic pupils, cranial nerve palsies, weak respiration, and proximal limb motor weaknesses without sensory changes. He had been employed in filling syringes with phosphamidon during the previous month. Because the patient's history and symptoms suggested organophosphate intoxication with intermediate syndrome, he was mechanically ventilated for 18 days with continuous infusion of atropine and pralidoxime (total amounts of 159 mg and 216 g, respectively). During his admission, hyperamylasemia and hyperli-pasemia were detected, and his abdominal CT scan showed a finding compatible with acute pancreatitis. He was administered a conservative treatment with NPO and nasogastric drainage. The patient was discharged and showed neither gastrointestinal nor neurologic sequelae upon follow up at one week and three months.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.47 no.2
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• pp.247-254
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• 1999

Respiratory failure is the most serious manifestation and usual cause of death in acute organophosphate poisoning, and is common in acute cholinergic crisis. But the respiratory failure may appear suddenly in a patient who is recovering from the cholinergic crisis, even while receiving conventional therapy. These are case report of 37 years old male and 24 years old female with intermediate syndrome in organophosphate poisoning. The two patients ingested organophosphate(fenthion and mixture of DDVP with chlorpyrifos respectively) incidentally and in a sucide attempt respectively. After apparent recovery from the cholinergic crisis with a conventional therapy but before the expected onset of delayed polyneuropathy, the respiratory failure appeared suddenly with a muscular weakness, affecting predominantly the proximal limb muscles, neck flexors, territories of several motor cranial nerves. The two patients needed mechanical ventilatory support and recovery from the intermediate syndrome was complete in both patients, although one subsequently developed hypoxic encephalopathy. The clinical manifestation and electrophysiologic study support the clinical diagnosis of intermediate syndrome. The syndrome carries a risk of death. because of respiratory paralysis, if not recognized early and treated adequatedly. Prompt endotrachial intubation and mechanical ventilatory support is the cornerstone of treatment of the intermediate syndrome. Therefore, all patient should be observed in a hospital for up to 5 days after poisoning.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Clinical Toxicology
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.83-90
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• 2008

Organophosphate (OP) pesticides are the most common source of human toxicity globally, causing high mortality and morbidity despite the availability of atropine as a specific antidote and oximes to reactivate acetylcholinesterase. The primary toxicity mechanism is inhibition of acetylcholinesterase (AchE), resulting in accumulation of the neurotransmitter, acetylcholine, and abnormal stimulation of acetylcholine receptors. Thus, the symptoms (muscarinic, nicotinic, and central nervous system) result from cholinergic overactivity because of AchE inhibition. OP can also cause rhabdomyolysis, pancreatitis, parotitis, and hepatitis. OP therapy includes decontamination, supportive therapy, and the use of specific antidotes such as atropine and oximes. However, there has been a paucity of controlled trials in humans. Here we evaluated the literature for advances in therapeutic strategies for acute OP poisoning over the last 10 years.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.21 no.5
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• pp.384-390
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• 2020

Purpose: Organophosphate insecticide poisoning can have clinically fatal results. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between the neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and the occurrence of death in patients with organophosphate insecticide poisoning. Methods: For this retrospective study, data on patients with organophosphate insecticide poisoning who visited the emergency room between January 2008 and November 2018 were collected. The NLR was measured at the time of arrival in the emergency room. The patients were divided into survival and death groups. Results: Overall, 150 patients were enrolled: 15 (10%) in the death group and 135 (90%) in the survival group. In the univariate analysis, the following variables were significantly different between the two groups: age, white blood cell count, amylase level, creatinine level, Acute Physiology And Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II score, and NLR. In the logistic regression analysis of variables with significant differences in the univariate analysis, there were significant differences between the two groups with respect to age, APACHE II score, and NLR. The NLR was significantly higher in the death group than in the survival group (20.83 ± 22.24 vs. 7.38 ± 6.06, p=0.036). Conclusion: High NLR in patients with organophosphate insecticide poisoning may be useful in predicting mortality.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Clinical Toxicology
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.74-78
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• 2007

The carbamates are a group of insecticides derived from carbamic acid, with a broad spectrum of uses as agricultural and household garden insecticides. Carbamate insecticides are reversible cholinesterase inhibitors. Their inhibitory action is mediated by reversible carbamylation of acetylcholine, as with the organophosphate insecticides. Carbamates are absorbed by the body through multiple routes, including inhalation, ingestion, and dermal absorption. Although poisoning can result from occupational exposure or accidental ingestion, in most cases there is suicidal intent. This is particularly true in developing countries, where the highest incidence of morbidity and mortality from this cause occurs. Cardiac complications often accompany poisoning by carbamate compounds, which may be serious and often fatal. The extent, frequency, and pathogenesis of cardiac toxicity from carbamate compounds has not been clearly defined. Possible mechanismsinclude sympathetic and parasymphatetic overactivity, hypoxemia, acidosis, electrolyte derangements, and a direct toxic effect of the compounds on the myocardium. Patients with carbamate poisoning should immediately be transferred to an intensive or coronary care unit where appropriate monitoring and resuscitative facilities are available. We here report a case of acute coronary syndrome resulting from acute carbamate ingestionthat resulted in a healthy discharge.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Clinical Toxicology
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.77-84
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• 2014

Purpose: Carbamate insecticides are potent cholinesterase inhibitors capable of causing severe cholinergic toxicity. Use of carbamate rather than organophosphate insecticides has been increasing. Compared with organophosphate poisoning, relatively few studies have investigated carbamate-associated acute pancreatitis. We investigated general characteristics and pancreatitis of carbamate poisoning and the predictors, among those readily assessed in the emergency department. Methods: We performed a retrospective review of consecutive patients, aged over 18 years, who were admitted between January 2008 and April 2012 to an emergency department (ED) of an academic tertiary care center for treatment of carbamate poisoning. Patients who exhibited poisoning by any other material, except alcohol, were excluded. After application of exclusion criteria, patients were divided according to carbamate-induced pancreatitis and non-pancreatitis groups. Results: A total of 41 patients were included in this study. Among these 41 patients, the prevalence of acute pancreatitis was 36.6% (15 patients). Initial blood chemistry tests showed a statistically higher glucose level in the pancreatitis group, compared with the non-pancreatitis group (222, IQR 189-284 vs. 137, IQR 122-175 mg/dL, P<0.05). Regarding clinical courses and outcomes, a significantly higher proportion of patients developed pneumonia [10 (66.7%) vs. 6 (23.1%), P<0.05] and had a longer hospital stay (7 days, IQR 6-12 vs. 5 days, IQR 2-11, P<0.05), but no difference in mortality, in the pancreatitis group vs. the non-pancreatitis group. In multivariate analysis, the initial glucose was showing significant association with the presentation of carbamate-induced acute pancreatitis (odds ratio 1.018, 95% confidence interval 1.001-1.035, P<0.05). Conclusion: Carbamate-induced acute pancreatitis is common, but not fatal. Initial serum glucose level is associated with acute pancreatitis.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Clinical Toxicology
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.1-6
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• 2006

Purpose: Hemoperfusion is an effective modality of extracorporeal elimination of toxins in acutely poisoned patients. We evaluated the effect of hemoperfusion on plasma concentration of toxins in patients exposed to certain pesticides. Methods: Eleven patients who were acutely exposed to pesticides participated in our study. We measured plasma pesticide concentration from the whole blood obtained by arterial and venous sources by gas chromatography. Results: The plasma concentrations of only 3 patients was measured. Methidation clearance by hemoperfusion was 82.2%, fenitrothion was 23%, and endosulfan was 0% Conclusion: Measurement of plasma organophosphate concentration is not a practical application. Our results suggest that hemoperfusion is applicable in patients with pesticide intoxication according to clinical status.