Abstract

DA SILVA BAPTISTA FARIA, Rita Isabel. Diquat intoxication. Acta toxicol. argent. [online]. 2017, vol.25, n.2, pp.39-46. ISSN 1851-3743.

Paraquat and diquat are contact herbicides from bipyridyl group, commonly used in weed control. The importance of this herbicide group is due to its frequent use with suicidal purpose and because there is neither an antidote nor a specific treatment. Poisoning with diquat is much less common that with paraquat, so there are few cases published in literature. The lethal dose of both is similar, however diquat is considered less toxic because it causes less lung damage. On the other side, diquat has severe toxic effects on central nervous system and neurotoxic signs are the more relevant, and include Parkinsonism. The kidney is the main excretory pathway of diquat and acute tubular necrosis is typical. Survival depends on two factors: plasma concentration and time of ingestion. Treatment focus in three key points: preventing absorption, rapid excretion and tissue effects. Hemoperfusion is more effective in diquat clearance than haemodialysis and its use in first 12 hours can reduce mortality.

Keywords : Intoxication; Diquat; Acute kidney failure; Review.

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