Study on the effectiveness of rapid and simple methods for analysis of pesticides causing acute poisoning in emergency medicine

Abstract

Quick detection of substances causing acute poisoning is often difficult. There is a need for methods that allow rapid detection of pesticides causing acute poisoning, which is often severe and has a high mortality rate, for quick diagnosis and appropriate treatment. The aim of this study was therefore to develop rapid and simple analytical methods for detecting acute poisoning-inducing substances in samples of stomach contents, returned gastric lavage solution, serum, or urine using an analytical device that can be used in the field as well as in pharmaceutical divisions and emergency medical units. We first examined the effectiveness of a screening method using TLC and then the effectiveness of HPLC equipped with a photo-diode array detector (HPLC-DAD) for qualitative and quantitative measurements. In the former technique, we were able to develop a rapid and simple screening method by adjusting the TLC plate and development solvent. In the latter technique, we were able to establish rapid and accurate methods for qualitative and quantitative measurements by using a column-switching technique in which a sample is injected directly into the column without pretreatment. Results of tests using actual samples obtained from patients with acute poisoning showed that the time required for detection using these techniques (less than 1 h) was much shorter than that required using conventional techniques. The use of these techniques should reduce the mortality rate in cases of acute poisoning, since physicians would be able to receive prompt advice regarding diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment methods. We have also designed a practical system for analysis of acute poisoning-inducing pesticides.