Acute metobromuron poisoning with severe associated methemoglobinemia. Identification of four metabolites in plasma and urine by LC-DAD, LC-ESI-MS, and LC-ESI-MS-MS.

Abstract

A case of self poisoning with metobromuron, a urea derivative used as a herbicide, is reported. Severe methemoglobinemia observed at the admission (80%) disappeared only at day 11, and hemolysis appeared at day 4 and decreased slowly to day 12. Metobromuron was analyzed by liquid chromatography with diode-array detection. Initial plasma concentration and elimination half-life were 4.9 mg/L and 5 h, respectively. Several metabolites were also detected, and four of those were identified by liquid chromatography-electrospray mass spectrometry. Normetobromuron, bromophenylurea, and bromoacetanilide were detected in plasma, but only N-methyl bromophenylurea was detected in urine. Bromoacetanilide probably results from acetylation of the intermediate bromoaniline. Methemoglobinemia could result from metabolization of metobromuron to bromoaniline and bromoacetanilide.

• Authors: A Turcant, A Cailleux, A Le Bouil, P Allain, P Harry, A Renault
• Journal: Journal of analytical toxicology (J Anal Toxicol) Vol. 24 Issue 3 Pg. 157-64 (Apr 2000) ISSN: 0146-4760 [Print] England
• PMID: 10774534 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Acetanilides
• Aniline Compounds
• Herbicides
• Phenylurea Compounds
• 4-bromoaniline
• bromoacetanilide
• metobromuron

Topics

• Acetanilides (analysis)
• Acute Disease
• Adult
• Aniline Compounds (analysis)
• Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid (methods)
• Half-Life
• Herbicides (pharmacokinetics, poisoning)
• Humans
• Male
• Mass Spectrometry
• Methemoglobinemia (blood, chemically induced, urine)
• Molecular Structure
• Phenylurea Compounds (pharmacokinetics, poisoning)
• Spectrophotometry, Ultraviolet
• Suicide, Attempted