The capillary-leakage syndrome caused by glyphosate poisoning: a case report

Glyphosate is widely used in agriculture even though it can cause self-poisoning, inducing gastrointestinal disturbance, acute respiratory distress syndrome, arrhythmia, renal failure, and even death.

The authors present a case of glyphosate poisoning in a patient who developed capillary-leak syndrome, severe metabolic acidosis, and shock. After treatment with hemoperfusion and continuous renal replacement therapy, the patient was extubated after 7 days and transferred out of the intensive care unit after 10 days.

Severe glyphosate poisoning can lead to multiple organ failure and systemic capillary leak syndrome. Clinical manifestations of systemic capillary leak syndrome included hemoconcentration, increased hematocrit, hypoalbuminemia, interstitial fluid accumulation, and refractory hypotension. Substantial improvement of capillary leakage was observed only gradually after initiation of early continuous renal replacement therapy, plasma infusion, and application of ulinastatin.

This case report highlights the life-threatening nature of glyphosate poisoning. Aggressive treatment and careful monitoring of complications are required, particularly in patients at risk of capillary leakage syndrome.