Clinical and toxicological data in fenthion and omethoate acute poisoning

This study paper reports on two cases of poisoning with the organophosphorus insecticides, fenthion and omethoate. The two victims were admitted in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) a few hours after ingestion of the two insecticides. They received appropriate treatment for organophosphorous poisoning (gastric lavage, activated charcoal, atropine and pralidoxime) and supportive care. Both patients survived. Organophosphate blood levels were determined on admission (fenthion 2.9 micrograms/ml, omethoate 1.6 micrograms/ml) and during the hospitalisation and proved to be considerably high. Slow elimination rate of the poison already distributed in the body was indicated for both pesticides. The patient with omethoate poisoning remained clinically well (Glasgow Coma Scale: 15) and was discharged three days later. The patient with fenthion poisoning, who had also ingested 30 mg of bromazepam and 720 mg of oxetoron, developed cholinergic crisis six hours after admission and was intubated for 24 days, with concomitant complications.