Prallethrin 1.60% (All Out) and Status Epilepticus-A Rare Association

Mosquito repellents marketed as vaporizers contain pyrethroids. Most data regarding toxicity of pyrethroids are gathered from dermal or inhalational absorption. Toxicity profile following oral intake is scarcely reported. This is the first case report following oral ingestion of prallethrin.

A 25 year old female presented to the emergency room in M.B.S. hospital, kota with ingestion of 70 ml prallethrin (1.60%) and later developed status epilepticus. She was managed in the ICU requiring mechanical invasive ventilation. No cause for her status could be determined after all investigations. It was on review of history with the patient and relative that the cause was determined. She had ingested two entire bottle of liquid mosquito repellent vaporizer (approximate 70 ml).

Mosquito repellents contain pyrethroids which act on sodium channels and cause hyper excitability of neurons. There are no known antidotes. Treatment is symptomatic.