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Chromosome aberrations in patients suffering acute organic phosphate insecticide intoxication

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Summary

The mutagenicity of several insecticides (Fosfotion (Malathion), Ditriphon-50 (Trichlorfon), Wofatox (Methyl-parathion), Phosdrin (Mevinphos), Bi 58 (Dimethoate), Basudin E (Diazinon), Nuvan (Dichlorvos)) containing organic phosphoric acid esters was studied in the lymphocyte cultures of patients suffering intoxication as a result of either attempting to commit suicide or exposure during work due to violation of safety measures or inexperience. From each patient—except those who died in the acute period—three blood samples were taken: immediately (3 to 6 days) after exposure and about 30 and 180 days after intoxication. The results of the chromosome studies were compared to the seriousness of the intoxication and to the individual insecticides. A temporary, but significant increase was found in the frequency of chromatid breaks and stable chromosome-type aberrations in acutely intoxicated persons. The results obtained strongly suggest that the organic phosphoric acid esters studied exert direct mutagenic effects on the chromosomes.

Zusammenfassung

Die phosphororganischen Insekticide: Fosfotion (Malathion), Ditriphon-50 (Trichlorfon), Wofatox (Methyl-parathion), Phosdrin (Mevinphos), Bi 58 (Dimethoate), Basudin E (Diazinon), Nuvan (Dichlorvos) wurden an Lymphocytenkulturen auf ihre mutagene Wirkung untersucht. Die Kulturen wurden von Personen gewonnen, die entweder mit diesen Verbindungen Suicid versucht oder infolge von Nichtbeachtung der Arbeitsschutzmaßnahmen eine Vergiftung erlitten hatten. Mit Ausnahme der in der akuten Periode verstorbenen Personen wurden jedem Patienten drei Blutproben entnommen, und zwar 3–6 Tage, etwa 30 und 180 Tage nach der Vergiftung. Die Ergebnisse der Chromosomenuntersuchungen wurden einesteils im Verhältnis zu der Schwere der Vergiftung geprüft, anderenteils für die einzelnen Insekticide bewertet. Bei Patienten mit akuter Vergiftung konnte eine vorübergehende, aber signifikante Zunahme in der Häufigkeit der Chromosomenbrüche und der stabilen Chromosomenaberrationstypen beobachtet werden. Die Untersuchungsergebnisse weisen darauf hin, daß die untersuchten phosphororganischen Insekticide mutagen wirken.

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Postdoctoral fellow under the Scientific Collaboration Program between the Hungarian Pepole's Republic and the People's Republic of Vietnam

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Trinh van Bao, Szabó, I., Ruzicska, P. et al. Chromosome aberrations in patients suffering acute organic phosphate insecticide intoxication. Hum Genet 24, 33–57 (1974). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00281108

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