Paraquat (PQ), a green herbicide with a distinct fragrance, is widely used in agriculture and is highly toxic. Due to its rarity and overlapping clinical features, diagnosing homicidal PQ poisoning is challenging. This study aimed to analyze the bibliographic trends of homicidal PQ poisoning to highlight research gaps. A bibliographic search of PubMed was conducted for all publications on homicidal paraquat poisoning from January 1st, 1975 to August 31st, 2025. Scientometric analysis assessed authorship patterns, publication trends, country contributions, and collaboration networks. A total of 21 articles on homicidal paraquat poisoning were identified. Most articles (n=4, 19%) were published in 2019. The relative growth rate decreased from 0.41 in 1981 to 0.04 in 2024, while doubling time increased from 1.71 in 1981 to 17.33 in 2024. Most articles were case reports (28.6%), followed by original research and review articles (19% each). Homicidal paraquat poisoning remains a rare and under-researched area with limited global publications and declining growth rates. Toxicologists, forensic pathologists, and clinicians should consider PQ poisoning in differential diagnoses, especially in cases of unexplained rapidly worsening respiratory illness. Further research is needed to develop diagnostic criteria and treatment strategies for homicidal PQ poisoning.
Murugesan et al. (Mon,) studied this question.