Diquat intoxication

Area of Science:

• Toxicology
• Clinical Case Study
• Gastroenterology

Background:

• Reglone (diquat) is a widely used herbicide.
• Herbicide ingestion can lead to severe systemic toxicity.
• Understanding the clinical course and autopsy findings of acute poisoning is crucial for medical management.

Observation:

• A 23-year-old male ingested 300 mL of Reglone.
• Vomiting occurred within 5-10 minutes post-ingestion.
• Rapid development of renal, central nervous system, and cardiovascular complications was observed.

Findings:

• The patient experienced cardiovascular collapse and expired 14 hours after admission.
• Autopsy revealed significant gastrointestinal and respiratory tract inflammation, including esophagitis, tracheitis, gastritis, and ileitis.
• Histopathological examination confirmed severe tissue damage.

Implications:

• This case underscores the extreme toxicity of Reglone (diquat) following significant oral ingestion.
• Aggressive medical interventions, including fluid resuscitation and toxin removal, were insufficient to prevent a fatal outcome.
• The findings emphasize the need for rapid diagnosis and supportive care in cases of diquat herbicide poisoning.