Paraquat poisoning with fatal outcome in a 56-year-old agricultural worker

Paraquat is a highly toxic herbicide that can cause caustic lesions, acute kidney failure and delayed pulmonary fibrosis. We report a case of a 56-year-old male agricultural worker who intentionally ingested 20 ml of paraquat, leading to a fatal outcome. He presented with vomiting, diarrhea, dysphagia and sialorrhea. Despite prompt medical intervention with cyclophosphamide, methylprednisolone, and supportive care, the patient developed acute renal failure and progressive pulmonary fibrosis. His condition deteriorated rapidly, and he succumbed to refractory hypoxemia 31 days after hospital admission. This case highlights the lethal nature of paraquat poisoning and the importance of preventive measures to minimize exposure.