Acute malathion toxicosis and related enzymatic alterations in Bubalus bubalis: antidotal treatment with atropine, 2-PAM, and diazepam.

Oral administration of malathion (MTH) in sublethal (100 mg/kg) or minimal lethal (125 mg/kg) doses in buffalo calves produced toxicity with an onset within 15-20 min and peak effects including severe tremors and convulsions within 40-60 min. Various antidotal drugs were administered alone or in combination at the time of peak malathion toxicity (within 1 h) and were assessed for their ability to alleviate signs of cholinergic toxicity. Blood cholinesterase and aminotransferases activities were monitored at various times. A combination of atropine sulfate (0.5 mg/kg, 1/4 iv and 3/4 im) and pyridine 2-aldoxime methiodide (2-PAM, 20 mg/kg, iv) reversed the clinical evidence of malathion toxicity within 15 min. The combination of atropine sulfate and diazepam (0.75 mg/kg, iv) prevented death and cholinergic signs of toxicity except for weak muscular fasciculations, which persisted for 30-60 min. Atropine sulfate alone was less effective and also did not reverse malathion-induced biochemical changes. In contrast, administration of either 2-PAM (10-30 mg/kg, iv) or diazepam (0.5-1.0 mg/kg, iv) alone accentuated malathion toxicity. Thus, the combination of atropine sulfate and 2-PAM was the most effective antidotal treatment in acute malathion toxicity.