GLYPHOSATE POISONING: A CASE REPORT

Sharan Badiger* and Manoj Reddy Bobbala

ABSTRACT

Glyphosate herbicide has been considered minimally toxic to human. But, there are cases of severe systemic toxicity. Severe poisoning is associated with acute gastroenteritis, acute respiratory distress, acute renal failure and death. Respiratory and renal failures are causes for mortality in most of cases. A 30 year old male patient was admitted to emergency department with consumption of 200 ml of glyphosate herbicide poison followed by three episodes of vomiting. On Clinical examination patient was conscious responsive to verbal commands, vitals were normal, Glasgow Coma Scale score was 15/15 and pupils were mid dilated sluggishly reactive. The remaining physical examination was normal. Gastric lavage was done. On second day of admission patient had severe respiratory distress, Glasgow Coma Scale 4/15, and patient was kept on mechanical ventilation. The arterial blood gas analysis showed metabolic acidosis and serum creatinine was 9.2 mg/dl. Seven cycles of hemodialysis were done and during hospital stay in two weeks, the renal functions gradually improved and serum creatinine was 2.2 mg/dl. The patient was weaned of mechanical ventilation, extubated and was discharged. Early recognition of complications and treatment in glyphosate poison will improve the outcome.

Keywords: Glyphosate, Herbicide, Hemodialysis.