Methemoglobinemia, Heinz Bodies, and Acute Massive Intravascular Hemolysis in Lysol Poisoning

Two patients with poisoning by concentrated lysol are reported. One developed methemoglobinemia, a marked decrease in red cell glutathione level, and large solitary Heinz bodies associated with massive intravascular hemolysis 3 days later. The other patient, who had absorbed less lysol, developed methemoglobinemia and multiple small Heinz bodies that subsequently disappeared without frank hemolysis. No preexisting red cell defect was demonstrated in either patient, and in vitro experiments showed that these effects were due to a direct oxidant action of lysol and hydroquinone, a metabolite of phenol on the red cell.