Skip to content

OPIDN

Definition

Organophosphate-induced delayed polyneuropathy: a distal sensorimotor neuropathy appearing 2 to 3 weeks after exposure to certain OPs (TOCP, leptophos), mediated by neuropathy target esterase inhibition.

Full name
Organophosphate-induced delayed polyneuropathy
Onset
2 to 3 weeks after exposure
Pattern
Distal sensorimotor neuropathy
Mechanism
Neuropathy target esterase inhibition
Associated agents
TOCP, leptophos

Common questions

Why does OPIDN appear weeks after exposure rather than immediately?+

It results from a separate mechanism, inhibition and aging of neuropathy target esterase in nerve tissue, distinct from the acute cholinergic toxicity organophosphates cause immediately through acetylcholinesterase inhibition.

How does OPIDN affect the interpretation of a poisoning case investigated weeks later?+

A delayed neuropathy presenting weeks after a documented or suspected organophosphate exposure can be linked back to that earlier event even though acute symptoms may have already resolved, which matters for both clinical and forensic timelines.

Related terms

Acetylcholinesterase (AChE)
The enzyme that hydrolyses acetylcholine at cholinergic synapses. Inhibition by organophosphates or carbamates causes accumulation of acetylcholine at muscarinic, nicotinic and central...
Aging
The irreversible loss of one alkyl group from the phosphorylated AChE-organophosphate complex, after which oximes can no longer reactivate the enzyme. Aging...
Anupam Verma Committee
An expert committee constituted by the Ministry of Agriculture in 2013 to review 66 pesticides already banned in other countries but still...
DUMBBELS
Mnemonic for the muscarinic side of the cholinergic toxidrome: Diarrhoea, Urination, Miosis, Bronchospasm and Bronchorrhoea, Bradycardia, Emesis, Lacrimation, Salivation.
Intermediate Syndrome
Proximal muscle and respiratory weakness appearing 24 to 96 hours after acute organophosphate exposure, requiring mechanical ventilation, distinct from the acute cholinergic...
Phosphine (PH3)
The toxic gas liberated when aluminium phosphide reacts with water or gastric acid. It inhibits mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase, generates reactive oxygen...

Explained in

Your journey to becoming a forensic professional starts here.

Practice with mock tests, learn from structured notes, and get your questions answered by a global forensic community, all in one place.