A case of unusual suicidal poisoning by the organophosphorus insecticide dimethoate.

A 20-year-old male who attempted suicide by injecting subcutaneously 10 ml of Sistemin 40 (40% dimethoate) was admitted 16 h later. General weakness, muscular fibrillations and a marked inhibition of red blood cell and serum cholinesterases were the prominent signs of intoxication. The antidotal treatment of intermittent boluses of atropine, oxime HI-6 and diazepam was combined with symptomatic therapy. Cholinesterase activity decreased within the next 3 d. In contrast to the marked general improvement of the patient, the return of cholinesterase activities was very slow. The patient was discharged 24 d after the poisoning with no notable consequences which could be ascribed to the intoxication.