Leucocyte suppression in treatment of 72 patients with paraquat poisoning

72 patients who had ingested more than 10 ml 20% or 24% liquid paraquat concentrate were treated for 2 weeks with high doses of dexamethasone and cyclophosphamide, forced diuresis with liberal potassium supplements, and, to eliminate paraquat from the gut, Fuller's earth suspension, activated charcoal, and magnesium sulphate. 52 patients (72%) survived. Serum paraquat concentrations were measured retrospectively in samples from 25 patients. 18 had levels of 2-76 mg/l; 6 survived and 12 died. The other survivors were a patient with a serum level of 0.5 mg/l at 24 h and 6 with positive urine tests but no measurable paraquat in serum collected 8-16 h after admission.