[Serum benzodiazepine research by the immunoenzymatic method in emergency toxicology: test interpretation aids].

The analyst in toxicology is daily confronted with blood benzodiazepine research. The sensitivity of the immunoenzyme technique initially designed for urine testing has been improved. Nevertheless some discrepancies persist between clinical and biological observation.

Acute paraquat poisoning: increased toxicity in one case with high alcohol intake.

Human paraquat poisoning from accidental or intentional ingestion is very often fatal. According to the amount of paraquat involved, death can occur within hours or weeks following ingestion. The inefficacy of the various treatments undertaken have led to determine prognostic factors based upon the evolution of plasma and urine paraquat concentrations or of usual biochemical parameters.