Malathion Poisoning with Special Reference to the Effect of Cholinesterase Inhibition on Erythrocyte Survival

SINCE the introduction of the organophosphate malathion (the o-odimethyl dithiophosphate of diethylmercaptosuccinate) to the insecticide market in 1954, it has become widely used for agricultural and domestic purposes. Because of its relatively low toxicity, which is one fortieth, that of parathion, very few cases of poisoning by this substance have been reported1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 (Table 1). Like that of the other organophosphates its main action is to interfere with the activity of cholinesterases in all tissues, resulting in parasympathetic overactivity and voluntary-muscle paralysis.An almost fatal case of malathion poisoning is reported below because of its interest in two respects apart from . . .