Whole blood transfusion in the treatment of an acute organophosphorus poisoning – a case report

BACKGROUND Organophosphorus compounds (OP) are a group of substances used in agriculture as pesticides and are also used as military poisoning agents (MPA). Intoxication by these agents may cause severe systemic disturbances related to both the exposure time and lethal agent concentration. Toxic effects result from an excess of the endogenous neurotransmitter, acetylcholine (ACh), because decomposition of Ach by cholinesterases is blocked by OP. CASE REPORT The authors describe a case in which an acute OP poisoning was managed both conventionally and with cholinesterase substitution by blood transfusion. CONCLUSIONS Whole blood transfusion could be beneficial in the treatment of these life-threatening medical conditions.