Clinical and toxicological investigations of a case of delayed neuropathy in man after acute poisoning by an organophosphorus pesticide.

Progressive neuropathy developed in a man during 2--8 weeks after acute poisoning by a pesticide said to contain trichlorphon. The neuropathy was typical of that caused by organophosphorus esters in the delay and in the maintenance of normal conduction velocity in surviving nerve fibres. A sample alleged to be typical of the ingested material was not more active against hen brain neurotoxic esterase (NTE) than was pure trichlorphon. Delayed neuropathy has never been produced in hens by a single dose of trichlorphon. This incident and studies of human brain in vitro suggest that the ratio neurotoxicity/lethality for trichlorphon is higher in man than in the hen. Suggestion is made of laboratory tests to improve neurotoxicity screening.