[Paraquat poisoning; clinical toxicological aspects and a case description]

The clinical course of a young woman following the ingestion of the herbicide Paraquat in a suicide attempts is reported. Clinical signs of intoxication consisted at first in alterations of hepatic and renal functions, and later in progressive pulmonary failure. The patient died in severe respiratory distress on the 8th day due to cardiac arrest, probably anoxic. Treatment was initially on standard lines, with cathartics with the aim to prevent the absorption of Paraquat in the plasma and its accumulation in the lungs. In addition, high doses of steroids, immunosuppressive agents, prophylactic antibiotics and cardiotonics were given. Peritoneal dialysis and haemodialysis were concomitantly assured. The Authors suggest that in Paraquat poisoning an adequate therapeutic treatment could consist in specific sorbents such as Fuller's earth and bentonite, haemoperfusion over a coated charcoal system or cation exchange resins. Administration of drugs such as corticosteroids, immunosuppressants (bleomycine) and the enzyme superoxide dismutase may be also indicated. On the contrary, oxygen therapy should be carefully monitored: in fact hyperoxic atmospheres, by increasing the rate of generation of superoxide radicals, enhance cellular toxicity of Paraquat.