J Korean Soc Clin Toxicol.  2018 Dec;16(2):124-130. 10.22537/jksct.2018.16.2.124.

Comparison of Clinical Characteristics and Severity of Glyphosate and Glufosinate Herbicide Poisoning Patients

• Joo HS
• Yoo TH
• Cho SH

• KMID: 2437750
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.22537/jksct.2018.16.2.124

Abstract

PURPOSE
The number of glyphosate and glufosinate intoxication cases are increasing in Korea. This study was undertaken is to compare the clinical manifestations of poisoning by these two herbicides and to document severities and clinical outcomes.
METHODS
We retrospectively evaluated cases of glyphosate or glufosinate intoxication among patients that visited our emergency department between January 1, 2013, and December 31, 2017. Incidences of intoxications were analyzed over this five year period, and underlying diseases, transportation, mental state, shock occurrence, inotropics, gastric lavage, charcoal administration, intubation and ventilator therapy, and hemodialysis were investigated. In addition, we included transfer to the intensive care unit, incidences of pneumonia and of other complications, death, and hopeless discharge.
RESULTS
There were 119 cases of glyphosate intoxication and 42 of glufosinate intoxication. Levels of consciousness were lower for glufosinate and vasopressor usage was higher due to a high shock rate (p=0.019). In addition, many patients were referred to the ICU for intubation and ventilation. The incidences of pneumonia and of other complications were significantly higher for glufosinate.
CONCLUSION
Overall glufosinate intoxication was found to be more severe than glyphosate intoxication as determined by complication and ICU admission rates.

Keyword

Glyphosate; Glufosinate; Herbicides; Severity

MeSH Terms

Charcoal
Consciousness
Emergency Service, Hospital
Gastric Lavage
Herbicides
Humans
Incidence
Intensive Care Units
Intubation
Korea
Pneumonia
Poisoning*
Renal Dialysis
Retrospective Studies
Shock
Transportation
Ventilation
Ventilators, Mechanical
Charcoal
Herbicides