Clinical characteristics of acute kidney injury in patients with glufosinate poisoning

Kim, Minsoo; Kim, Hogwan; Lee, Haeun; Oh, Ju Hwan; Cho, A Young; Lee, Kwang Young; Sun, In O

J Korean Soc Emerg Med > Volume 36(4); 2025 > Article

Original Article

Journal of The Korean Society of Emergency Medicine 2025;36(4): 152-157.

Clinical characteristics of acute kidney injury in patients with glufosinate poisoning

¹Department of Emergency Medicine, Presbyterian Medical Center, Jeonju, Korea
²Nephrology Division, Department of Internal Medicine, Presbyterian Medical Center, Jeonju, Korea

Correspondence

In O Sun ,Tel: 063-230-1332, Fax: 063-230-1309, Email: inogood@catholic.ac.kr,

Received: April 24, 2024; Revised: November 3, 2024 Accepted: November 12, 2024. Published online: August 28, 2025.

ABSTRACT

Objective:
The incidence of glufosinate ammonium (GLA) intoxication has increased in recent times. However, data on acute human GLA poisoning remain scarce. In this study, we investigated the clinical characteristics of acute kidney injury (AKI) in patients with GLA poisoning.
Methods:
This study was performed between 2008 and 2021 and included 76 patients categorized into the AKI and nonAKI groups. The incidence, clinical characteristics, and severity of AKI were compared between the two groups based on the risk, injury, failure, loss of kidney function, and end-stage kidney disease classification.
Results:
The incidence of AKI was 46.0%, and 18.4%, 23.7%, and 3.9% of the patients were classified into the risk, injury, and failure categories, respectively. The AKI group had poorer renal function on admission than the non-AKI group (65.9±25.1 mL/min/1.73 m² vs. 91.8±28.6 mL/min/1.73 m²; P<0.001). Furthermore, in the AKI group, the length of hospitalization was longer (21.0±20.1 days vs. 8.8±6.7 days; P=0.001) and neurological complications occurred more frequently (51.4% vs. 26.8%; P=0.025). The total leukocyte count was higher in the AKI group than in the non-AKI group (14.6×10³/mL vs. 10.7×10³/mL; P=0.006). Notably, intensive care unit admission (88.6% vs. 53.7%; P=0.001) and mechanical ventilation support (80.0% vs. 34.1%; P<0.001) were more frequently required in the AKI group. Finally, the mortality rate was higher in the AKI group than in the non-AKI group (20.0% vs. 4.9%; P=0.046).
Conclusion:
The incidence of AKI after GLA poisoning in this study was 46.0%. Aggressive treatment is very important in the management of GLA poisoning with AKI.

Key words: Herbicide; Acute kidney injury; Leukocytosis