[Today's threat of use of organophosphorus compounds]

Pol Merkur Lekarski. 2015 Sep;39(231):176-80.
[Article in Polish]

Abstract

Organophosphates are stable cholinesterases inhibitors (AChE). Inhibition of AChE activity leads to the accumulation of large amounts of acetylcholine and hyperactivity of the cholinergic system by stimulating acetylcholine receptors - muscarinic and nicotinic. This group included tabun, sarin, soman and VX gases. Exposure to gaseous form causes symptoms within a few seconds of exposure. This depends on the gas concentration in the atmosphere. The most sensitive organ is the eyes and the respiratory system. Severe poisoning are characterized by the immediate loss of consciousness with convulsions. Therapeutic management of acute poisoning organophosphorus compounds boils down to treating symptomatic and supportive vital functions. Monitoring of cardiovascular, respiratory and renal failure in intensive care gives only guarantee the effective treatment of poisoning. Properties toxic organophosphorus compounds also are of interest to terrorist groups.

Keywords: VX gases; sarin; soman; tabun.

Publication types

  • English Abstract
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Chemical Warfare Agents / toxicity*
  • Cholinesterase Inhibitors / toxicity*
  • Environmental Exposure / adverse effects
  • Humans
  • Organophosphate Poisoning / diagnosis*
  • Organophosphate Poisoning / therapy*
  • Organophosphates / toxicity
  • Organophosphorus Compounds / chemistry
  • Organophosphorus Compounds / toxicity*
  • Organothiophosphorus Compounds / toxicity
  • Sarin / toxicity
  • Seizures / chemically induced
  • Soman / toxicity

Substances

  • Chemical Warfare Agents
  • Cholinesterase Inhibitors
  • O-ethyl-S-2-(N,N-diisopropilamino)ethylmethylthiophosphonate
  • Organophosphates
  • Organophosphorus Compounds
  • Organothiophosphorus Compounds
  • Soman
  • Sarin
  • tabun