[Clinical features of delayed polyneuropathy induced by acute methamidophos toxicosis in 74 cases]

A series of 74 cases of delayed polyneuropathy induced by acute middle to serious toxicosis with Methamidophos is analysed. It consists of 49 males and 25 females aged 12 to 45 years, mean age 22.6 years. The clinical features is similar to those of acute polyneuritis in common. The determination of nerve conduction velocity and electromyography show denervation lesions. The recovery cause is from 0.5 to 2 years. The proposal of the five requirements for diagnosis is listed. It is regarded that the pathogenesis of methamidophos-induced delayed polyneuropathy is the toxic effect produced by the "aging" of the phosphoryl-enzyme complex caused by the phosphorylation of a protein neurotoxic esterase (NTE) in the nervous system, and also is the autoimmuno disorder induced by the "aging" of the NTE being probably an immunological basis.