How is organophosphate exposure measured?
Exposure to OPs is usually assessed through analysis of blood and urine biomarkers to determine acetylcholinesterase levels. Depression of plasma acetylcholinesterase activity in the blood is indicative of OP exposure.
How do you manage a patient with organophosphate poisoning?
The mainstays of medical therapy in organophosphate (OP) poisoning include atropine, pralidoxime (2-PAM), and benzodiazepines (eg, diazepam). Initial management must focus on adequate use of atropine. Optimizing oxygenation prior to the use of atropine is recommended to minimize the potential for dysrhythmias.
What happens if someone is exposed to organophosphate?
Organophosphate poisoning is poisoning due to organophosphates (OPs). Organophosphates are used as insecticides, medications, and nerve agents. Symptoms include increased saliva and tear production, diarrhea, vomiting, small pupils, sweating, muscle tremors, and confusion.
What are the complications of organophosphate poisoning?
What are the complications of organophosphate poisoning?
- metabolic disorders, such as hyperglycemia (high blood sugar) and glycosuria (excess sugar in urine)
- diabetic ketoacidosis, in which your blood produces excess blood acids.
- pancreatitis, or inflammation of the pancreas.
- cancer.
How many organophosphates are there?
ORGANOPHOSPHATES. What are organophosphates? There are almost 900 different bug killers (pesticides) that can be used in the United States. A small number (37) belong to a class of insect killers (insecticides) known as organophosphates.
How are organophosphates excreted?
The thiophosphate type organophosphorus insecticides (e.g., chlorpyriphos) are initially metabolized to the more toxic “oxon” form. Most organophosphorus insecticides undergo hydrolysis with excretion of major hydrolytic metabolites in the urine.
Why Atropine is used in organophosphate poisoning?
Atropine competitively blocks the effects of acetylcholine, including excess acetylcholine due to organophosphorus poisoning, at muscarinic cholinergic receptors on smooth muscle, cardiac muscle, secretory gland cells, and in peripheral autonomic ganglia and the central nervous system.
What is the management of poisoning?
The general approach to the poisoned patient can be divided into six phases: (1) stabilization; (2) laboratory assessment; (3) decontamination of the gastrointestinal tract, skin, or eyes; (4) administration of an antidote; (5) elimination enhancement of the toxin; and (6) observation and disposition.
What are examples of organophosphates?
Examples of organophosphates include the following:
- Insecticides – Malathion, parathion, diazinon, fenthion, dichlorvos, chlorpyrifos, ethion.
- Nerve gases – Soman, sarin, tabun, VX.
- Ophthalmic agents – Echothiophate, isoflurophate.
- Antihelmintics – Trichlorfon.
- Herbicides – Tribufos (DEF), merphos.
What precautions should a person take when using insecticides that contain organophosphates?
People who work with organophosphates should: wear full protective gear during and after applying them. take a bath or shower at the end of the working day and wash before eating or drinking. know which products contain organophosphates and how to recognize them.
What is the toxicity of organophosphate?
Organophosphates are used as medications, insecticides, and nerve agents as a weapon. Symptoms include increased saliva and tear production, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, small pupils, sweating, muscle tremors, and confusion. The onset of symptoms is often within minutes, and it can take weeks to disappear.
What are organophosphates used for?
Organophosphates are the most widely used insecticides today. They are used in agriculture, the home, gardens, and veterinary practice. Organophosphate insecticides (such as diazinon) are one type of pesticide that works by damaging an enzyme in the body called acetylcholinesterase.