Cartap poisoning: an unusual poisoning in North India

Abstract

<p class="abstract">Cartap hydrochloride, an analogue of nereistoxin, belongs to a relatively new class of insecticidal chemistry, and its poisoning is uncommon in India. We describe a 50-year-old farmer who presented to emergency department in altered sensorium and alleged history of accidental inhalation of cartap hydrochloride while working in the fields. The patient improved with conservative management with BAL (British anti-lewisite) without any residual complications. As per the current medical literature; this is probably the first case report of cartap inhalational accidental poisoning. </p><strong>Keywords: </strong>Cartap hydrochloride, Pesticide, Inhalational poisoning

An Observational Study of 11 Cases of Cartap Poisoning - A Rare Poisoning

“…This form is used in India for control of diamondback moth in cabbage and cauliflower and is easily available. Although it is known to be of moderate toxicity, Gupta et al says that it becomes toxic if consumed more than 75 ml of solution containing 50% Cartap along with alcohol [10]; that is, 3.75 g. All of our patients had consumed more than that. Although Lao in his initial studies says that Cartap is a safe compound with oral LD 50 in monkey being 100-200 mg/kg body wt [4], his later findings demonstrated diaphragmatic contracture and death of rabbit on ocular installation [3].…”