@article{ref1,
title="Agricultural avermectins: an uncommon but potentially fatal cause of pesticide poisoning",
journal="Annals of emergency medicine",
year="1999",
author="Chung, K. and Yang, C. C. and Wu, M. L. and Deng, J. F. and Tsai, W. J.",
volume="34",
number="1",
pages="51-57",
abstract="STUDY OBJECTIVE: Avermectins have been used in the control of parasites and insects; however, human data concerning poisoning are lacking. This study investigated the clinical spectrum of avermectin poisoning. METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted to evaluate patients with avermectin poisoning reported to a poison center from September 1993 through December 1997. RESULTS: Eighteen patients with abamectin (Agri-Mek; 2% wt/wt abamectin) exposure and 1 with ivermectin (Ivomec; 1% wt/vol ivermectin) ingestion were identified. There were 14 male and 5 female patients, ranging in age from 15 to 83 years. Most patients were exposed as a result of attempted suicide (14). Oral ingestion (15) was the most common route of exposure. Four patients were asymptomatic, and 8 had minor symptoms after a mean ingestion of 23 mg/kg abamectin (4.2 to 67 mg/kg), or after dermal and inhalation contact. Seven patients manifested severe symptoms, such as coma (7), aspiration with respiratory failure (4), and hypotension (3), after a mean ingestion of 100.7 mg/kg avermectin (15.4 mg/kg for ivermectin and 114.9 mg/kg for abamectin). All 7 patients received intensive supportive care; 1 patient died 18 days later as a result of multiple organ failure. CONCLUSION: Ingestion of a large dose of avermectin may be associated with life-threatening coma, hypotension, and subsequent aspiration.<p /><p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="0196-0644",
doi="",
url="http://dx.doi.org/"
}