What is anticholinesterase poisoning?

Anticholinesterase poisoning was defined as the presence of nicotinic and/or muscarinic clinical features in combination with either (a) a history of exposure to an organophosphate or carbamate insecticide, or (b) a decreased level of serum pseudocholinesterase.

What causes Anticholinesterase poisoning?

Anticholinesterase poisoning is caused by the unintentional absorption of anticholinesterases typically found in organophophate pesticides.

What are anticholinesterase agents?

Drugs that inhibit AChE are called anticholinesterase (anti-ChE) agents. They cause ACh to accumulate in the vicinity of cholinergic nerve terminals and thus are potentially capable of producing effects equivalent to excessive stimulation of cholinergic receptors throughout the central and peripheral nervous systems.

What is Anticholinesterase enzyme?

Anticholinesterase, any of several drugs that prevent destruction of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine by the enzyme acetylcholinesterase within the nervous system. …

What are the symptoms of anticholinesterase poisoning?

A patient with anticholinesterase insecticide poisoning is classically described as unresponsive with pinpoint pupils, muscle fasciculations, diaphoresis, emesis, diarrhea, salivation, lacrimation, urinary incontinence, and an odor of garlic or solvents; however, most clinical presentations are not so typical.

How do you test for organophosphate poisoning?

Therefore, the most commonly used test to confirm acute organophosphate poisoning is measurement of plasma cholinesterase activity. Plasma cholinesterase levels usually decline to less than 50% of the normal value before any symptoms of poisoning are observed.

How is Anticholinesterase treated?

Treatment

Atropine – The endpoint for atropine is dried pulmonary secretions and adequate oxygenation. Tachycardia and mydriasis must not be used to limit or to stop subsequent doses of atropine.
Pralidoxime – Nucleophilic agent that reactivates the phosphorylated AChE by binding to the OP molecule.

What is reversible Anticholinesterase?

Reversible anticholinesterases include the truly reversible nonester quaternary ammonium compounds and the esters of carbamic acid, which react covalently with the enzyme surface.

What are the effects of Anticholinesterase?

The anticholinesterases produce effects equivalent to excessive stimulation of the cholinergic system, i.e. stimulation of muscarinic receptor responses at the autonomic effector organs, stimulation and then depression of the autonomic ganglia and skeletal muscle, and stimulation of cholinergic receptors in the CNS.

Are there any anticholinesterase drugs that are dangerous?

Agents that have been developed for this purpose include donepezil, tacrine, and galantamine. However, the potentially dangerous side effects of these drugs has limited their use. For example, liver toxicity caused by tacrine has restricted its availability by prescription.

What is the cause of anticholinesterase poisoning?

About Anticholinesterase Poisoning: Anticholinesterase poisoning is caused by the unintentional absorption of anticholinesterases typically found in organophophate pesticides.

How are anticholinesterase drugs used in the clinic?

Anticholinesterase. Anticholinesterase drugs that are used more widely in the clinic are those that inhibit acetylcholinesterase in the brain. The most useful application of such agents is in the treatment of Alzheimer disease, in which reduced transmission of acetylcholine contributes to the neuropathology of the disease.

Why are carbamate and op agents called anticholinesterase agents?

Outbreaks of mass poisoning have occurred from contamination of crops or food. OP agents have also been used for homicide. OP and carbamate pesticides are collectively known as anticholinesterase agents due to their activity at cholinergic nerve terminals in the body.