Cholinergic syndrome: a case report of acute organophosphate and carbamate poisoning

Cholinergic syndrome is a common topic at western medical universities yet rarely observed in clinical practice. The treatment involves muscarinic antagonists, acetylcholinesterase reactivation, seizure control, and supportive measures. Here we report a case of a 52-year old Caucasian male who attem...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Petreski Tadej, Kit Barbara, Strnad Matej, Grenc Damjan, Svenšek Franc
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Sciendo 2020-06-01
Series:Arhiv za Higijenu Rada i Toksikologiju
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.2478/aiht-2020-71-3413
Description
Summary:Cholinergic syndrome is a common topic at western medical universities yet rarely observed in clinical practice. The treatment involves muscarinic antagonists, acetylcholinesterase reactivation, seizure control, and supportive measures. Here we report a case of a 52-year old Caucasian male who attempted suicide by ingesting a purple crystal powder that turned out to be a mixture of carbofuran and chlormephos. At clinical examination, the patient presented with salivation, perspiration, diarrhoea, bradypnoea, loss of consciousness, and epileptic seizures. Laboratory tests showed low plasma cholinesterase, and we started obidoxime along with supportive intensive care treatment. He was later transferred to the psychiatry department for further diagnostics and treatment.
ISSN:1848-6312