Clinical and radiological findings in chlorfenapyr poisoning
Open Access
- 1 January 2013
- journal article
- case report
- Published by Medknow in Annals of Indian Academy of Neurology
- Vol. 16 (2), 252-254
- https://doi.org/10.4103/0972-2327.112486
Abstract
This is a case report of suicidal ingestion of chlorfenapyr, presenting with neurological complications after a latent period of more than a week, and rapidly progressing to death within days of symptoms. Chlorfenapyr is a moderately hazardous pesticide according to World Health Organization toxicity classification, and kills target organism by depriving it of energy through interference with oxidative phosphorylation at mitochondrial level. A pro-pesticide, chlorfenapyr takes time to convert to its active form and either this active form or a toxic metabolite causes delayed neurological symptoms. It causes significant neurotoxicity in rat models. This case report provides for the first time from India (second worldwide), clinical and "radiological evidence" (magnetic resonance imaging showing demyelinating/oedematous changes) of "chlorfenapyr neurotoxicity in humans." It also highlights the "latent period" between ingestion and onset of fatal manifestations. Earlier, similar case reports of human deaths with delayed onset neurological symptoms, due to chlorfenapyr poisoning have been reported, from Japan, Columbia, and Korea.Keywords
This publication has 4 references indexed in Scilit:
- Suicide mortality in India: a nationally representative surveyLancet, 2012
- Chlorfenapyr: a new insecticide with novel mode of action can control pyrethroid resistant malaria vectorsMalaria Journal, 2011
- [Case report of acute death on the 7th day due to exposure to the vapor of the insecticide chlorfenapyr].2007
- Suicide, suicide attempts and pesticides: a major hidden public health problemBulletin of the World Health Organization, 2006