Acute central nervous system changes due to intoxication by Manzidan (a combined dithiocarbamate of Maneb and Zineb)

Abstract

A 42-year old man sprayed Manzidan (a combined dithiocarbamate of Maneb and Zineb) on a cucumber plantation, twice during a week. Behavioural changes appeared after the first application, and loss of consciousness, convulsions and right hemiparesis after the second application with diffuse slow rhythm in the EEG. Both the behavioural and CNS symptomatology disappeared spontaneously after a few days. The previous history of the patient, the sudden appearance and spontaneous disappearance of the symptoms and a dose-response relationship strongly suggest that Maneb and Zineb were the cause of the illness.