Quantitation of metrifonate and dichlorvos in blood and tissues by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.

Metrifonate (0,0-dimethyl-(1-hydroxy-2,2,2-trichloroethyl)-phosphonate) is an organophosphorus compound where there are excellent possibilities to make studies in man. Metrifonate and its rearrangement product dichlorvos (2,2-dichlorovinyl dimethyl phosphate, DDVP) were studied in human blood from schistosomiasis patients treated with Bilarcil. A mass fragmentographic technique was employed. Deuterium labelled variants of the substances were used, both as internal standards and to compensate for DDVP formed during the workup procedure. The amount of DDVP in plasma was about 1% of the amount of metrifonate. In erythrocytes the corresponding amount of DDVP in percent of metrifonate was half or less. Both compounds reached peak levels within two hours and were detectable for at least eight hours. The results were compared to erythrocyte and plasma cholinesterase determinations. Levels of metrifonate and DDVP, together with cholinesterase activity, have also been studied in mouse brain, liver and kidney. It is proposed that metrifonate acts as a slow release formulation for DDVP. Clearance of metrifonate in man occurs primarily via DDVP. Mild vertigo subsiding in a few hours was the most common side-effect.