Which organophosphate is frequently associated with cholinergic toxicity?

The association of malathion with cholinergic toxicity is significant due to its widespread use as an insecticide and its action as an organophosphate. When malathion is metabolized by the body, it inhibits acetylcholinesterase, an enzyme responsible for breaking down acetylcholine in the synaptic cleft. The inhibition of this enzyme leads to an accumulation of acetylcholine, resulting in overstimulation of cholinergic receptors. This can produce a wide range of symptoms characteristic of cholinergic toxicity, including increased salivation, lacrimation, urination, diarrhea, gastrointestinal distress, muscle spasms, and potentially respiratory failure if not treated promptly.

In clinical settings, malathion’s effects are well-documented, making it a primary example studied in relation to cholinergic toxicity. Other organophosphates listed can also lead to toxicity if exposure occurs, but malathion is frequently emphasized in relation to observed clinical symptoms and case reports concerning cholinergic crisis. Thus, its identification as a common agent associated with cholinergic toxicity is supported by both clinical and toxicity data.