Pesticide-Induced Quadriplegia in a 55-Year-Old Woman

作者:Beavers Charles T; Parker Joseph J; Flinchum Dane A; Weakley Jones Barbara A; Jortani Saeed A*
来源:American Journal of Forensic Medicine and Pathology, 2014, 35(4): 239-241.
DOI:10.1097/PAF.0000000000000108

摘要

Acephate is a commercial organophosphate pesticide formerly used in households and now used primarily for agriculture. Poisoning symptoms include salivation, lacrimation, urination, defecation, gastrointestinal illness, and emesis. In addition to these classic symptoms, neurodegeneration can result from increased and continued exposure of organophosphates. This 55-year-old woman presented with organophosphate-induced delayed neuropathy in the form of quadriplegia due to the commonly used pesticide acephate. She was exposed to this pesticide through multiple sprayings in her work office with under-recognized poisoning symptoms. She presented to her primary care physician with neuropathic pain and paralysis in her arm following the sprayings and eventual complete paralysis. The patient lived for 2 years following her toxic exposure and quadriplegia. A complete autopsy after her death confirmed a transverse myelitis in her spinal cord. We conclude that in susceptible individuals, acephate in excessive amounts can produce severe delayed neurotoxicity as demonstrated in animal studies.

  • 出版日期2014-12