The poison pen: bedside diagnosis of urinary diquat

J Med Toxicol. 2010 Mar;6(1):35-6. doi: 10.1007/s13181-010-0033-6.

Abstract

Diquat is a bipyridyl herbicide with nephrotoxic effects. This in vitro study demonstrates a colorimetric test for detection of diquat in human urine. Urine specimens using ten concentrations of diquat herbicide solution and controls for urine and glyphosate were prepared. A two-step assay (addition of bicarbonate followed by sodium dithionite) was performed, with a resulting color change of the original solution for each specimen. Color change intensity was noted immediately and after 30 min, by gross visual inspection. A green color with concentration-dependent intensity was detected in all specimens, in which concentrations of diquat solution ranged from 0.73 to 730 mg/L. This colorimetric effect disappeared after 30 min. The sodium bicarbonate/dithionite test may be useful as a qualitative bedside technique for the detection of urinary diquat in the appropriate clinical setting.

MeSH terms

  • Biomarkers / urine
  • Colorimetry*
  • Diquat / poisoning*
  • Diquat / urine*
  • Dithionite / chemistry
  • Herbicides / poisoning*
  • Herbicides / urine*
  • Humans
  • Point-of-Care Systems*
  • Poisoning / diagnosis
  • Poisoning / urine
  • Predictive Value of Tests
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Sodium Bicarbonate / chemistry

Substances

  • Biomarkers
  • Herbicides
  • Dithionite
  • Sodium Bicarbonate
  • Diquat