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Professional Version

Organophosphate Toxicosis in Animals

By

Ramesh C. Gupta

, DVM, PhD, DABT, FACT, FACN, Toxicology Department, Breathitt Veterinary Center, Murray State University;


Robin B. Doss

, Breathitt Veterinary Center, Murray State University

Reviewed/Revised Aug 2022

The organophosphates (OPs) are derivatives of phosphoric or phosphonic acid. Currently, there are hundreds of OP compounds in use, and they have replaced the banned organochlorine compounds. The OPs are a major cause of animal poisoning. Chemistry of OPs is very complex, which have been categorized into at least 13 types. They vary greatly in toxicity, residue levels, and excretion. Many OPs have been developed for plant and animal protection, and in general, they offer a distinct advantage by producing little tissue and environmental residue. Some of the OPs developed initially as pesticides are also used as anthelmintics. Five such compounds include dichlorvos, trichlorfon, haloxon, naphthalophos, and crufomate. The first two are primarily used against parasitic infestations in horses, dogs, and pigs; the latter three are used against parasites in ruminants.

Many of the OPs now used as pesticides (chlorpyrifos, diazinon, fenitrothion, malathion, parathion, etc) are not potent inhibitors of cholinesterase until activated in the liver by microsomal oxidation enzymes; they are generally less toxic, and intoxication occurs more slowly. Certain OP preparations are microencapsulated, and the active compound is released slowly; this increases the duration of activity and reduces toxicity, but the toxic properties are still present.

Organophosphate Insecticides

Azinphos-Methyl (or -Ethyl)

The maximum nontoxic oral dose of azinphos-methyl (or -ethyl) is 0.44 mg/kg for calves, 2.2 mg/kg for cattle and goats, and 4.8 mg/kg for sheep. The oral median lethal dose (LD50) in rats is 5 mg/kg for azinphos-methyl and 13 mg/kg for azinphos-ethyl, and the dermal LD50 in rabbits is 220 mg/kg for azinphos-methyl and 250 mg/kg for azinphos-ethyl.

Carbophenothion

Carbophenothion has been used as a spray for fruit trees and as a dip or spray for sheep blowfly, keds, and lice. Dairy calves < 2 weeks old sprayed with water-based formulations develop poisoning with concentrations ≥0.05% and adult cattle with 1%. Sheep and goats have been poisoned by 22 mg/kg, PO, but not by 8 mg/kg. In sheep, 0.1% as a dip produces no signs of poisoning. The LD50 in rats is 6 mg/kg; a dosage of 2.2 mg/kg, every 24 hours for 90 days produces poisoning. Dogs have been shown to tolerate a diet containing 32 mcg/g for 90 days. A single application of a powder containing 1% of carbophenothion is lethal to cats.

Chlorfenvinphos

Adult cattle have been shown to be poisoned by sprays of chlorfenvinphos at concentrations ≥5% and young calves at 2%. The minimum oral toxic dose appears to be ~22 mg/kg for cattle of all ages. The acute oral LD50 for rats is 12 mg/kg, and the dermal LD50 in rabbits is 3,200 mg/kg.

Chlorpyrifos

The oral LD50 of chlorpyrifos is 500 mg/kg in goats and 941 mg/kg in rats. In comparison with calves, steers, and cows, bulls (particularly of the exotic breeds) are highly susceptible to a single dose of chlorpyrifos. The maximum tolerated dose of chlorpyrifos in sheep is 750 mg/kg. Experimentally, sheep given 850 mg/kg died 5 days after dosing, those given 900 mg/kg died on the third day, and a dose of 1,000 mg/kg was lethal within 30 hours. Onset of poisoning signs is usually delayed compared with that of many other commonly used OPs because of the conversion of chlorpyrifos to the active cholinesterase inhibitor chlorpyrifos-oxon. In addition to proven neurotoxicity, chlorpyrifos produces reproductive and developmental toxicity.

Coumaphos

Coumaphos is used against cattle grubs and a number of other ectoparasites and for treatment of premises. The maximum concentration that may be safely used on adult cattle, horses, and pigs is 0.5%. Young calves and all ages of sheep and goats must not be sprayed with concentrations >0.25%; concentrations of 0.5% may be lethal. Adult cattle may show mild toxicity at 1% concentrations. The minimum lethal dose for calves appears to be between 10 and 40 mg/kg. A dose of 25 mg/kg is usually fatal in sheep. The oral LD50 in rats is 13 mg/kg.

Crotoxyphos

Crotoxyphos is used as a spray or powder for the control of ectoparasites on cattle and pigs. Crotoxyphos is of rather low toxicity; however, Brahman cattle are markedly more susceptible than European breeds. Cattle (except Brahman cattle), sheep, goats, and pigs all tolerate sprays containing crotoxyphos at concentrations of 0.5% or even higher. In pigs, crotoxyphos is considered safe at a concentration of 1%, although skin lesions have been found. Toxic concentrations appear to be on the order of 2%, except in Brahman cattle, in which concentrations of 0.144%–0.3% may be toxic. The oral LD50 in rats is 125 mg/kg, and the dermal LD50 in rabbits is 385 mg/kg.

Demeton

Demeton is used as a systemic insecticide against sucking insects and mites. Demeton is used mainly as a foliage spray and has a relatively long residual life. It is a mixture of demeton-O and demeton-S and is highly toxic to mammals. The oral LD50 of demeton-O is 8 mg/kg in goats and 2 mg/kg in rats; the dermal LD50 in rabbits is 8 mg/kg. Demeton-O poisoning developed in several hundred cattle grazing near cotton treated with this insecticide.

Diazinon

Young calves appear to tolerate 0.05% spray of diazinon but are poisoned by 0.1% concentration. Adult cattle may be sprayed at weekly intervals with 0.1% concentration without inducing poisoning. Young calves tolerate 0.44 mg/kg, PO, but are poisoned by 0.88 mg/kg. Cattle tolerate 8.8 mg/kg, PO, but are poisoned by 22 mg/kg. Sheep tolerate 17.6 mg/kg but are poisoned by 26 mg/kg. The oral LD50 in rats is 300 mg/kg, and the dermal LD50 in rabbits is 379 mg/kg.

Dichlorvos

Dichlorvos has many uses on both plants and animals. It is rapidly metabolized and excreted, and residues in meat and milk are not a problem if label directions are followed. It is of moderate toxicity, with a minimum toxic dose of 10 mg/kg in young calves and 25 mg/kg in horses and sheep. The oral LD50 in rats is 25 mg/kg, and the dermal LD50 in rabbits is 59 mg/kg. A 1% dust was not toxic to cattle. Flea collars containing dichlorvos may cause skin reactions in some pets. Cats wearing dichlorvos-impregnated collars can develop signs of ataxia-depression syndrome, followed by death.

Dimethoate

Dimethoate is used extensively in horticulture as a systemic insecticide, but it also kills insects by contact. When administered PO, the minimum toxic dose for young dairy calves was ~48 mg/kg, whereas 22 mg/kg was lethal for cattle 1 year old. Daily doses of 10 mg/kg for 5 days in adult cattle lowered blood cholinesterase activity to 20% of normal but did not produce poisoning. Horses have been poisoned by doses of 60–80 mg/kg, PO. When applied topically, 1% sprays have been tolerated by calves, cattle, and adult sheep. The oral LD50 in rats is 250 mg/kg, and the dermal LD50 in rabbits is 400 mg/kg.

Dioxathion

Dioxathion is a nonsystemic acaricide and insecticide and is used for the control of ticks. Dioxathion is a mixture of cis- and trans-isomers, usually in the ratio of 1:2. The cis-isomer is more toxic than the trans-isomer. Used on both plants and animals, it is rapidly metabolized and not likely to produce residues in meat >1 mcg/g (the official tolerance level). Concentrations ≥0.15% are generally used on animals. The minimum toxic dose in calves is 5 mg/kg. Sprays of 0.5% in cattle and sheep or 0.25% in goats and pigs are nontoxic. Sprays at concentrations up to 0.1% are usually safe for calves and lambs. Twice this concentration may produce signs of poisoning. Dioxathion at 8.8 mg/kg, PO, has killed young calves, and it produced intoxication at 4.4 mg/kg. Emaciated cattle with severe tick infestation are more frequently poisoned than healthy animals. Maximum residues of dioxathion in adipose tissue of cattle occur 2–4 days after dipping. The elimination half-life, after obtaining maximum concentrations, is ~16 days.

Disulfoton

The maximum nontoxic oral dose of disulfoton is 0.88 mg/kg for young calves, 2.2 mg/kg for cattle and goats, and 4.8 mg/kg for sheep. Poisoning has occurred in cattle after consuming harvested forages previously sprayed with this insecticide. The oral LD50 in rats is 2 mg/kg, and the dermal LD50 in rabbits is 6 mg/kg. Chronic exposure to disulfoton may result in development of tolerance to toxicity.

Ethyl 4-Nitrophenyl Phenylphosphonothioate

Ethyl 4-nitrophenyl phenylphosphonothioate (EPN) is a nonsystemic insecticide and acaricide structurally related to parathion. The acute oral LD50 in rats is 8–36 mg/kg. A dose of 10 mg/kg was found to be nontoxic to adult cattle and sheep. The minimum oral toxic dose is 2.5 mg/kg in calves and 25 mg/kg in sheep and yearling cattle. Sprays containing 0.025%–0.05% are toxic to young calves, and 0.25% is lethal. Dogs were not poisoned at doses >100 mg/kg.

Famphur

The oral LD50 of famphur in rats is 35 mg/kg, and the dermal LD50 in rabbits is 2,730 mg/kg. The maximum nontoxic dose is 10 mg/kg in calves and 50 mg/kg in cattle, sheep, and horses. In general, Brahman cattle are especially susceptible to famphur toxicity. This compound is effective against warbles in cattle, but (as for all grubicides) directions must be followed as to time of application; larvae killed while migrating and the resultant local reaction can cause serious problems. In several instances, famphur poisoning occurred in birds (mainly magpies and robins) shortly after cattle had been treated with a pour-on preparation containing famphur.

Fenitrothion

Fenitrothion, also known as sumithion, is used as a contact insecticide in agriculture and horticulture. The oral LD50 in rats is 250 mg/kg, and the dermal LD50 in rabbits is 1,300 mg/kg. When applied to cattle, its metabolites are excreted at low levels in milk and urine. Fenitrothion produces reproductive and developmental toxic effects in chickens.

Fenthion

Fenthion is commonly applied topically to control warble infestation in cattle and fleas in dogs. The minimum oral toxic dose is 25 mg/kg for cattle; 50 mg/kg is lethal to sheep. The oral LD50 in rats is 255 mg/kg, and the dermal LD50 in rabbits is 330 mg/kg.

Malathion

Malathion is one of the safest OPs because of its selective toxicity; it is highly toxic to insects but much less toxic to mammalian species. The oral LD50 in rats is 885 mg/kg, and the dermal LD50 in rabbits is 4,000 mg/kg. The oral acute toxic dose in calves is 10–20 mg/kg and in adult cattle and sheep is 50–100 mg/kg. In a chronic study in buffalo calves (6–9 months old), daily oral administration of malathion at 0.5 mg/kg for 1 year produced no biochemical or clinical effects. Doses >1 mg/kg inhibited blood acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity and increased activities of liver enzymes (ALT and AST). A dose of 20 mg/kg produced clinical signs after 10 days. The acute oral LD50 in buffalo calves is 53 mg/kg. Dermal application via spray containing 0.5% or 1% of malathion had no apparent effect on calves, but 5% spray caused death within 75 hours.

Malathion at 0.5% or 1% should not be sprayed on calves for >3 consecutive days. Malathion is excreted in cow’s milk.

Methyl Parathion

Methyl parathion is less toxic than parathion (diethyl parathion). The LD50 in rats from a single oral dose is 9–25 mg/kg, and the dermal LD50 in rabbits is 63 mg/kg. Methyl parathion at 2.5 mg/kg had no ill effect, but 10 mg/kg daily quickly led to toxic signs. The lethal dose in cattle is 100 mg/kg. Methyl parathion is excreted in cow’s milk. Methyl parathion produces neurotoxicity as well as reproductive and developmental toxicity.

Mevinphos

The LD50 of mevinphos in rats is 3 mg/kg, and the dermal LD50 in rabbits is 16 mg/kg. Mevinphos has been commonly used to control the population of birds, and thereby caused poisoning in nontarget species. Mevinphos at 200 mcg/g in the diet is lethal in dogs.

Naled

Naled is essentially a dibrominated dichlorvos, which has the ability to act as a contact insecticide. It has a broad-spectrum insecticidal action. Because it has short residual effects, it poses relatively little hazard to fish and wildlife. The oral LD50 in rats is 191 mg/kg, and the dermal LD50 in rabbits is 390 mg/kg.

Parathion

Parathion (diethyl parathion) is widely used for control of plant pests and is approximately one-half as toxic as tetraethyl pyrophosphate Tetraethyl Pyrophosphate The organophosphates (OPs) are derivatives of phosphoric or phosphonic acid. Currently, there are hundreds of OP compounds in use, and they have replaced the banned organochlorine compounds... read more . The oral LD50 in rats is 3 mg/kg, and the dermal LD50 in rabbits is 6.8 mg/kg. It is used as a dip and spray for cattle in some countries (not in the US).

Most cases of occupational insecticide poisonings in humans have been attributed to parathion or its degradation products. The minimum toxic dose in calves is 0.25–0.5 mg/kg and in cattle is 25–50 mg/kg. The minimum oral lethal dose in sheep is 20 mg/kg and in goats is 50 mg/kg. The LD50 in dogs is 23–35 mg/kg and in cats is 15 mg/kg. Dermal sprays containing 0.02%, 1%, and 1% of parathion are lethal to calves, sheep, and goats, respectively. Parathion is used extensively to control mosquitoes and insects in orchards and on market garden crops. Normally, because so little is used per acre, it presents no hazard to livestock. However, because of the potency of parathion, care should be taken to prevent accidental exposure. Parathion does not produce consequential residues in animal tissues.

Phorate

Phorate is closely related to demeton Demeton The organophosphates (OPs) are derivatives of phosphoric or phosphonic acid. Currently, there are hundreds of OP compounds in use, and they have replaced the banned organochlorine compounds... read more . It is a systemic insecticide and miticide. The oral LD50 in rats is 1.6 mg/kg, and the dermal LD50 in rabbits is 2.5 mg/kg. The minimum toxic dose PO is 0.25 mg/kg in calves, 0.75 mg/kg in sheep, and 1 mg/kg in cattle.

Phosmet

Phosmet is a nonsystemic acaricide and insecticide. The minimum oral toxic dose is 25 mg/kg in cattle and calves and 50 mg/kg in sheep. Spraying with a 0.5% solution has no toxic effect, but a 1% solution of phosmet produces intoxication in cattle. Phosmet is not excreted in milk. The oral LD50 in rats is 147 mg/kg, and the dermal LD50 in rabbits is 3,160 mg/kg.

Ronnel (Fenchlorphos)

Ronnel is an excellent oral systemic insecticide. It is effective against many ecto- and endoparasitic arthropods, including cattle grubs, screwworms, and sucking lice. Ronnel is also used as a residual spray insecticide to control flies, fleas, and cockroaches. The oral LD50 in rats is 1,250 mg/kg, and the dermal LD50 in rabbits is 2,000 mg/kg. Ronnel produces mild signs of poisoning in cattle at 132 mg/kg, but severe signs do not appear until the dose is >400 mg/kg. The minimum toxic dose in sheep is 400 mg/kg. Concentrations as high as 2.5% in sprays have failed to produce poisoning in cattle, young dairy calves, or sheep.

Poisoning usually occurs in two stages. The animal first becomes weak and, although able to move about normally, may be placid. Diarrhea, often flecked with blood, may also be seen. Salivation and dyspnea then appear if the dose is high enough. Blood cholinesterase activity declines slowly over 5–7 days. Ronnel produces residues in meat and milk; strict adherence to label restrictions is essential. The residues may be removed by giving the animal activated charcoal for several days.

Ruelene

Ruelene is active both as a systemic and contact insecticide in livestock, has some anthelmintic activity, and has rather low toxicity. Dairy calves have been poisoned by 44 mg/kg, PO; adult cattle require 88 mg/kg for the same effect. Sheep are moderately intoxicated by 176 mg/kg; Angora goats are about twice as sensitive. Pigs have been poisoned by 11 mg/kg and horses by 44 mg/kg. Most livestock tolerate a 2% topical spray.

Temephos

Temephos is used as an insecticide against mosquitoes and midges. It is of low toxicity to mammalian species. The oral LD50 for rats is ≥1 g/kg, and the dermal LD50 is >4 g/kg. Daily exposure of cattle for 1 year at 1–1.5 mg/kg is known to produce clinical signs of poisoning and affect fertility in heifers.

Terbufos

This soil insecticide is used to control corn rootworms. The oral LD50 in rats is 1.6 mg/kg. The minimum oral toxic dose is ~1.5 mg/kg for sheep and cattle. Cases of intoxication in cattle have occurred. Ingestion of 7.5 mg/kg was lethal to heifers.

Tetrachlorvinphos

Tetrachlorvinphos has low toxicity in dogs; chronic feeding studies indicate the lowest effect level was 50 mg/kg/d, and the no observed effect level (NOEL) was 3.13 mg/kg/d. The minimum toxic dose in pigs is 100 mg/kg.

Tetraethyl Pyrophosphate

Tetraethyl pyrophosphate (TEPP) is one of the most acutely toxic insecticides. Although not used on animals, accidental exposure occurs occasionally. One herd of 29 cattle (including calves and adults) was accidentally sprayed with 0.33% TEPP emulsion; all died within 40 minutes.

Trichlorfon

Trichlorfon is used as a systemic insecticide and anthelmintic in domestic animals. It is also used as an acaricide in sheep at a dosage of 80 mg/kg at weekly intervals for not more than 4 weeks. The oral LD50 in rats is 630 mg/kg, and the dermal LD50 in rabbits is >2,100 mg/kg. As a spray, trichlorfon at a 1% concentration is tolerated by adult cattle; given PO, it is tolerated by young dairy calves at 4.4 mg/kg but produces poisoning at 8.8 mg/kg. Adult cattle, sheep, and horses appear to tolerate 44 mg/kg, whereas 88 mg/kg produces poisoning. Dogs were unaffected when fed trichlorfon at 1,000 mcg/g for 4 months. Administration of trichlorfon at 75 mg/kg, PO, produces adverse clinical signs in dogs. Trichlorfon is rapidly metabolized.

Mechanism of Action of Organophosphate and Carbamate Toxicosis in Animals

The toxicity of OP and carbamate insecticides is due to inhibition of the AChE enzyme within the nervous tissue and at the neuromuscular junction. The OPs inhibit AChE irreversibly by phosphorylation, and carbamates inhibit AChE reversibly by carbamylation. As a result of AChE inhibition, accumulation of acetylcholine (ACh) occurs, which overstimulates muscarinic ACh receptors (mAChRs) and nicotinic ACh receptors (nAChRs). Overstimulation of these receptors leads to signs of hypercholinergic preponderance, such as hypersecretions (salivation, lacrimation, urination, and diarrhea), convulsions, and muscle fasciculations. Seizures and death ensue due to noncholinergic mechanisms involving hyperstimulation of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors, adenosinergic, gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA-ergic), monoaminergic systems, and others. The persistence of excitotoxicity for more than an hour can lead to oxidative and nitrosative stress, neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration in the cortex, amygdala, and hippocampus, which are areas of the brain primarily involved in initiation and propagation of convulsions and seizures. Finally, death occurs due to respiratory failure.

Clinical Findings for Organophosphate Toxicosis in Animals

In general, OP pesticides have a narrow margin of safety, and the dose-response curve is quite steep. Signs of OP poisoning are those of cholinergic overstimulation, which can be grouped into three categories: muscarinic, nicotinic, and central.

Muscarinic signs, which are usually first to appear, include hypersalivation, miosis, frequent urination, diarrhea, vomiting, colic, and dyspnea due to bronchoconstriction and increased bronchial secretions.

Nicotinic effects include muscle fasciculations and weakness.

The central effects include nervousness, ataxia, apprehension, and seizures. Cattle and sheep commonly show severe CNS depression. In dogs and cats, CNS stimulation usually progresses to convulsions. Some OPs (eg, amidothioates) do not enter the brain easily, so CNS signs are mild.

Onset of signs after exposure is usually within minutes to hours but may be delayed for >2 days in some cases. Severity and course of intoxication is influenced principally by the dose and route of exposure. In acute poisoning, the primary clinical signs may be respiratory distress and collapse, followed by death due to respiratory muscle paralysis. In addition to brain and skeletal muscles, OPs are known to adversely affect other organ systems, including the cardiovascular, respiratory, hepatic, reproductive and developmental, and immune systems.

Diagnosis of Organophosphate Toxicosis in Animals

An important diagnostic aid for OP poisoning is the determination of AChE activity in blood and brain. Unfortunately, the degree of decrease in blood AChE activity does not necessarily correlate with the severity of poisoning. Clinical signs are observed when brain AChE activity is inhibited >70%. The key factors appear to be the degree and rate at which the AChE activity is reduced. Neither OPs or their metabolites persist in the body for more than 24 hours. Chlorinated OP compounds have a greater potential for tissue residue. Frozen stomach and rumen contents should be analyzed for the pesticide residue by use of gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS) for identification, confirmation, and quantitation. Blood or serum and urine can also be analyzed for residue of OPs or their metabolites. More than 70% of OPs produce one or more of the six dialkylphosphates (dimethyl phosphate, diethyl phosphate, dimethyl thiophosphate, diethyl thiophosphate, dimethyl dithiophosphate, and diethyl dithiophosphate).

Lesions

Animals with acute OP poisoning have nonspecific or no lesions. Pulmonary edema and congestion, hemorrhages, and edema of the bowel and other organs may be found. Animals surviving >1 day may become emaciated and dehydrated.

Treatment of Organophosphate Toxicosis in Animals

Three categories of drugs are used to treat OP poisoning:

  • Muscarinic receptor–blocking agents

  • Cholinesterase reactivators

  • Emetics, cathartics, and adsorbents to decrease further absorption

Atropine sulfate blocks the central and peripheral muscarinic receptor–associated effects of OPs. It is administered to effect in dogs and cats, usually at a dosage of 0.2–2 mg/kg (cats at the lower end of the range), every 3–6 hours or as often as clinical signs indicate. For horses and pigs, the dosage is 0.1–0.2 mg/kg, IV, repeated every 10 minutes as needed; for cattle and sheep, the dosage is 0.6–1 mg/kg, one-third given IV, the remainder IM or SC, and repeated as needed. Atropinization is adequate when the pupils are dilated, salivation ceases, and the animal appears more alert. Animals initially respond well to atropine sulfate; however, the response diminishes after repeated treatments. Overtreatment with atropine should be avoided. Atropine does not alleviate the nicotinic cholinergic effects, such as muscle fasciculations and muscle paralysis, so death from massive overdoses of OPs can still occur. Experimentally, inclusion of diazepam in the treatment was shown to reduce the incidence of seizures and increase survival rate in nonhuman primates.

An improved treatment combines atropine with the cholinesterase-reactivating oxime pralidoxime chloride, or 2-pyridine aldoxime methochloride (2-PAM). The dosage of 2-PAM is 20–50 mg/kg, given as a 5% solution IM or by slow IV (over 5–10 minutes), repeated at half the dose as needed; 2-PAM should be administered IV at a very slow rate. Response to AChE reactivators decreases with time after exposure. Therefore, treatment with oximes must be instituted as soon as possible (within 24–48 hours). The rate at which the AChE-OP complex becomes unresponsive to reactivators (due to the aging phenomenon) varies with the particular OP pesticides.

Removal of the poison from the animal also should be attempted as soon as possible. If exposure was dermal, the animal should be washed with detergent and room-temperature water but without scrubbing and irritating the skin. Emesis should be induced if oral exposure occurred < 2 hours previously; emesis is contraindicated if the animal is showing neurologic signs (CNS depression or convulsions). Oral administration of mineral oil decreases absorption of insecticides from the GI tract. Activated charcoal (1–2 g/kg as a water slurry) adsorbs OPs and helps elimination in the feces. This is particularly recommended in cattle. Continued absorption of OPs from the large amount of ingesta in the rumen has caused prolonged toxicosis in cattle. Artificial respiration or administration of oxygen may be required. Phenothiazine tranquilizers, barbiturates, and morphine are contraindicated.

Intermediate Syndrome

Organophosphate-induced intermediate syndrome (IMS) has been observed in humans and animals (particularly dogs and cats) acutely poisoned with a massive dose of an OP insecticide; IMS is a separate clinical entity from acute toxicosis and delayed neuropathy. The OPs known to cause IMS include bromophos, chlorpyrifos, diazinon, dicrotophos, dimethoate, disulfoton, fenthion, malathion, merphos, methamidophos, methyl parathion, monocrotophos, omethoate, parathion, phosmet, and trichlorfon.

Clinically, IMS is characterized by acute paralysis and weakness in the areas of several cranial motor nerves, neck flexors, and facial, extraocular, palatal, nuchal, proximal limb, and respiratory muscles 24–96 hours after poisoning. Generalized weakness, depressed deep tendon reflexes, ptosis, and diplopia are also evident. These symptoms may last for several days or weeks depending on the OP involved. Although the exact mechanism of action involved in IMS is unclear, the defect occurs at the neuromuscular junction (decreased AChE activity and expression of nicotinic receptors). Despite AChE inhibition, muscle fasciculations and hypersecretory activities are absent. There is no specific treatment; treatment relies on atropine sulfate and 2-PAM and should be continued for weeks.

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