A case of fatal diquat poisoning: Toxicokinetic data and autopsy findings

Case Report: A 37-year-old man ingested in a suicide attempt 300 mL of a di quat solution (equivalent to 60 g diquat ion). The initial diquat serum con centration was 64 mu g/mL 4 hours after poisoning. The clinical course was characterized by a progressive anuria and by neurological disorders (coma a nd seizures). The patient died 26 hours after poisoning from refractory car diocirculatory collapse. Extracorporeal techniques removed 1.09 g of diquat which could be considered as significant in regard to the total amount tha t was likely absorbed, but they did not influence the clinical outcome. The re was marked renal tubular damage at autopsy and the highest diquat tissue concentration was found in the kidneys.