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PubMed2002

Fatal alcohol poisoning: medico-legal practices and mortality statistics.

Compilation of mortality statistics from death certificate data is based on international and national conventions which in certain situations result in the underlying cause-of-death other than that established and reported by the physician. The present study compares all fatal alcohol poisonings in 1997 as registered on forensic toxicological grounds at the accredited central laboratory and as presented in the national cause-of-death statistics, according to the underlying cause-of-death, by applying international statistical rules and principles in ICD-10. Four groups were formed, and case frequencies in each group were obtained from forensic toxicological data, group "T51" for acute poisonings due to alcohol alone, and group "Comb" for acute alcohol poisonings combined with some drug, medicament or other biological substance, and from cause-of-death statistics data, group "X45", for deaths from alcohol poisoning, and group "F102" for those medico-legal fatal alcohol poisoning deaths which at the statistics office were inferred to be due to alcoholism. The study shows that in Finland the officially compiled statistics on fatal alcohol poisonings, when compared with medico-legal statements based on forensic toxicological examinations, were underrepresented by 31.4% in 1997. About two-thirds of this underrepresentation is explained by preferring, as the underlying cause-of-death, alcoholism to acute alcohol poisoning, and about one-third by preferring, in cases of acute combined poisonings, the drug component to the alcohol. From 1998 onwards, more emphasis has been put on the alcohol component when coding medico-legally proven accidental deaths from simultaneous poisoning with alcohol and a medicinal agent. This change in coding practices presumably explains the subsequent decline in the annual underrepresentation rate of alcohol poisoning in mortality statistics to the level of 15-16%. It is concluded that the present ICD rules inevitably lead to underrepresentation of alcohol poisonings in the mortality statistics, and conceptual and practical proposals for future procedures are made.

2-Propanol↗
PubMed2005

Evolving global epidemiology, syndromic classification, general management, and prevention of unknown mushroom poisonings.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the evolving global epidemiology of mushroom poisoning and to identify new and emerging mushroom poisonings and their treatments, a descriptive analysis and review of the world's salient scientific literature on mushroom poisoning was conducted. DATA SOURCE: Data sources from observation studies conducted over the period 1959-2002 and describing 28,018 mushroom poisonings since 1951 were collected from case reports, case series, regional descriptive studies, meta-analyses, and laboratory studies of mushroom poisonings and the toxicokinetics of mycotoxins. STUDY SELECTION: Studies included in the review were selected by a MEDLINE search, 1966-2004, an Ovid OLDMEDLINE search, 1951-1965, and a medical library search for sources published before 1951. DATA EXTRACTION: To better guide clinicians in establishing diagnoses and implementing therapies, despite confusing ingestion histories, data were extracted to permit an expanded syndromic classification of mushroom poisoning based on presentation timing and target organ systemic toxicity. DATA SYNTHESIS: The final 14 major syndromes of mushroom poisoning were stratified first by presentation timing and then by target organ systemic toxicity and included early (<6 hrs), late (6-24 hrs), and delayed syndromes (> or =1 day). There were eight early syndromes (four neurotoxic, two gastrointestinal, two allergic); three late syndromes (hepatotoxic, accelerated nephrotoxic, erythromelalgia); and three delayed syndromes (delayed nephrotoxic, delayed neurotoxic, rhabdomyolysis). Four new mushroom poisoning syndromes were classified including accelerated nephrotoxicity (Amanita proxima, Amanita smithiana), rhabdomyolysis (Tricholoma equestre, Russula subnigricans), erythromelalgia (Clitocybe amoenolens, Clitocybe acromelalgia), and delayed neurotoxicity (Hapalopilus rutilans). In addition, data sources were stratified by three chronological time periods with >1,000 confirmed mushroom ingestions reported and tested for any statistically significant secular trends in case fatalities from mushroom ingestions over the entire study period, 1951-2002. CONCLUSIONS: Since the 1950s, reports of severe and fatal mushroom poisonings have increased worldwide. Clinicians must consider mushroom poisoning in the evaluation of all patients who may be intoxicated by natural substances. Since information on natural exposures is often insufficient and incorrect, a new syndromic classification of mushroom poisoning is recommended to guide clinicians in making earlier diagnoses, especially in cases where only advanced critical care, including organ transplantation, may be life saving.

Diagnosis, Differential↗
PubMed2005

Syndromic diagnosis and management of confirmed mushroom poisonings.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the evolving global epidemiology of mushroom poisoning and to identify new and emerging mushroom poisonings and their treatments, a descriptive analysis and review of the world's salient scientific literature on mushroom poisoning was conducted. DATA SOURCE: Data sources from observation studies conducted over the period 1959-2002, and describing 28,018 mushroom poisonings since 1951, were collected from case reports, case series, regional descriptive studies, meta-analyses, and laboratory studies of mushroom poisonings and the toxicokinetics of mycotoxins. STUDY SELECTION: Studies included in the review were selected by a MEDLINE search, 1966-2004, an Ovid OLDMEDLINE search, 1951-1965, and a medical library search for sources published before 1951. DATA EXTRACTION: To better guide clinicians in establishing diagnoses and implementing therapies, despite confusing ingestion histories, data were extracted to permit an expanded syndromic classification of mushroom poisoning based on presentation timing and target organ systemic toxicity. DATA SYNTHESIS: The final 14 major syndromes of mushroom poisoning were stratified first by presentation timing and then by target organ systemic toxicity and included early (<6 hrs), late (6-24 hrs), and delayed syndromes (> or =1 day). There were eight early syndromes (four neurotoxic, two gastrointestinal, two allergic); three late syndromes (hepatotoxic, accelerated nephrotoxic, erythromelalgia); and three delayed syndromes (delayed nephrotoxic, delayed neurotoxic, rhabdomyolysis). Four new mushroom poisoning syndromes were classified including accelerated nephrotoxicity (Amanita proxima, Amanita smithiana), rhabdomyolysis (Tricholoma equestre, Russula subnigricans), erythromelalgia (Clitocybe amoenolens, Clitocybe acromelalgia), and delayed neurotoxicity (Hapalopilus rutilans). In addition, data sources were stratified by three chronological time periods with >1,000 confirmed mushroom ingestions reported and tested for any statistically significant secular trends in case fatalities from mushroom ingestions over the entire study period, 1951-2002. CONCLUSIONS: Since the 1950s, reports of severe and fatal mushroom poisonings have increased worldwide. Clinicians must consider mushroom poisoning in the evaluation of all patients who may be intoxicated by natural substances. Since information on natural exposures is often insufficient and incorrect, a new syndromic classification of mushroom poisoning is recommended to guide clinicians in making earlier diagnoses, especially in cases where only advanced critical care, including organ transplantation, may be life saving.

Agaricales↗
PubMed2004

Differences in perception of risk between people who have and have not experienced Salmonella food poisoning.

It is believed that food hygiene precautions in domestic kitchens are an important strategy in efforts to reduce the incidence of sporadic food poisoning, but recent research has shown that people who have suffered food poisoning handle the same types of foods and adopt similar food hygiene precautions in their kitchens to the rest of the population. This suggests the need to examine other factors. A case-control study of sporadic Salmonella food poisoning was conducted to investigate several domestic kitchen risk factors. Measures of perception of risk, knowledge, and control associated with food poisoning in case and control respondents are reported here. It was found that perceived personal risk from food poisoning in the home was less than perceived risk to other people. In contrast, ratings of personal knowledge about food poisoning and personal control over food poisoning in the home were seen to be greater than other people's knowledge and control. There were no differences between the cases and the controls in their ratings of knowledge about food poisoning or their control over food poisoning. However, cases perceived their personal risk from food poisoning to be higher than controls. Both case and control samples exhibited optimistic bias but this was reduced in the case sample, suggesting that experience with food poisoning may reduce optimistic bias.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1992

Some epidemiological observations on medicinal and non-medicinal poisoning in preschool children.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: The aim was to identify and compare rates of admission to hospital of preschool children for medicinal and non-medicinal poisoning in a defined population. DESIGN: The study was an analysis of computerised abstracts of hospital inpatient records for poisoning. SETTING: Six districts in southern England covered by the Oxford record linkage study. SUBJECTS: The subjects were children under six years of age residing in the six districts from 1975 to 1986. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: 6152 children, drawn from an average annual resident population of 164,000 children in 1975-1986, experienced 6562 hospital admissions for poisoning before six years; 3702 (56.4%) were attributed to medicinal and 2860 (43.6%) to non-medicinal agents. Of the latter, 646 (9.8% of the total) were recorded under the International classification of diseases code, described as "noxious food" (almost exclusively plant material). Average annual admission rates in children under six were 1.88 per 1000 for medicinal agents and 1.45 for non-medicinal substances. Analgesics accounted for 28.1% of the admissions for medicinal poisoning; berries and mushrooms for 97.4% of the plant materials; and corrosive aromatics, acids and alkalis for 22.0% of the other non-medicinals. Admission rates were higher in males than females in each category of poisoning. In children aged 1-4 years there was a significant decrease in admission rates between 1975 and 1986, averaging per annum 5.8% for medicinal poisoning, 6.9% for non-medicinal poisoning (excluding plant material), and 12.8% for plant material poisoning. Significant seasonal variation was found for each class of poisoning. CONCLUSIONS: Admission rates for medicinal and non-medicinal poisoning in preschool children declined between 1975 and 1986. The decline could reflect a change in thresholds for admission although, if so, this would be against the general trend in paediatric medical admissions, which is upward. An alternative explanation is a decline in the incidence of poisoning.

Child, Preschool↗
PubMed2004

Restricting sales of paracetamol tablets: effect on deaths and emergency admissions for poisoning in Scotland 1991 - 2002.

OBJECTIVE: To identify any effect on deaths and emergency admissions for poisoning resulting from the restriction on paracetamol sales introduced in September 1998. SETTING: Scotland. DATA: Deaths from poisoning were extracted from the General Registrar (Scotland) Office annual reports for 1991 to 2001 and emergency admissions data for 1990/91 to 2001/02 was supplied by the Information and Statistics Division of NHS Scotland. RESULTS: Deaths in the early 1990s, deaths from all poisonings and deaths from paracetamol poisoning were stable. After the restrictions deaths from all poisonings remained stable. Deaths from paracetamol poisoning fell by 45% in 1998 but have risen in each of the three years since to reach pre-restriction levels. RESULTS: Emergency admissions in the early 1990s all poisonings rose steadily. Following the restrictions all admissions fell by 10% and paracetamol poisonings fell by 14%. All admissions remained lower for a further two years but are now rising again. Paracetamol poisonings remained lower for a second year but the last two years have both seen 10% increases to reach record levels. DISCUSSION: The restrictions caused a dramatic 45% fall in deaths from paracetamol poisoning and reversed a relentless upward rise in all admissions for poisoning. The benefits were short-lived lasting about two years. Deaths and admissions are rising again and admissions are at record levels. CONCLUSIONS: Restricting paracetamol sales resulted in significant health gain. Further restrictions and public education on this valuable but dangerous drug are both urgently needed.

Acetaminophen↗
PubMed2006

Epidemiologic investigation of lead poisoning in trumpeter and tundra swans in Washington State, USA, 2000-2002.

An observational study was conducted to determine the proportionate mortality of wild trumpeter (Cygnus buccinator) and tundra (Cygnus columbianus columbianus) swans that died during the winters of 2000-02 in northwestern Washington State, USA. Among 400 swans necropsied, 81% were lead poisoned (302/365 trumpeter swans; 20/35 tundra swans). Mortality started in mid-November and peaked from late December through mid-February; swan mortality that was not associated with lead poisoning was uniformly lower throughout the winter months. Lead poisoning was 24 times more likely to be the cause of death in swans found in Whatcom County compared to swans found in other locations in northwestern Washington State (95% CI: 12.7, 47.0). Mortality attributable to lead poisoning was twice as likely in adults as in juveniles (95% CI: 1.0, 4.2). Aspergillosis was documented in 62 trumpeter and two tundra swans, including 37 swans in which mortality was caused by lead poisoning. Males were twice as likely as females to have aspergillosis (95% CI: 1.1, 3.8). Traumatic injuries were documented in 37 trumpeter and seven tundra swans, including seven trumpeter swans with concurrent lead poisoning. Dead swans found outside Whatcom County were four times more likely to have traumatic injuries compared to those found in Whatcom County (95% CI: 1.6, 10.0). Overall, lead-poisoned swans were significantly less likely to have concurrent aspergillosis or traumatic injuries. There was no apparent association between grit ingestion (total mass or mass categorized by size) and lead poisoning or number of lead shot. Not surprisingly, lead-poisoned swans were more likely to have one or more lead shot compared to swans that died from other causes (OR 294; 95% CI: 92, 1,005); lead-poisoned swans were also more likely to have one or more nontoxic shot compared to swans that were not poisoned (OR 63; 95% CI: 19, 318). The source(s) of shot are unknown but likely are in or near Whatcom County, Washington.

Animals↗
PubMed2002

[Apoptosis in mouse after tetramine poisoning].

OBJECTIVE: To observe pathological changes and apoptosis in mouse brain, hart, liver and kidney after tetramine poisoning, and to provide some references for forensic identification. METHODS: An experimental model of mouse tetramine poisoning was found, and the technology of apoptosis detection was used. The staining results were analyzed by computer image analysis competitive system. RESULTS: (1) Quantities of apoptosis in brain, hart, liver and kidney in chronic poisoning groups are many more than in acute poisoning groups. As in same organs, Quantities of apoptosis are different after different poisoning time. In addition, the peak-time of apoptosis is not same in different organs. (2) Poison analysis showed that, all organic samples from acute poisoning groups were positive, while that from chronic poisoning groups are negative. CONCLUSION: Chronic tetramine poisoning can not be detective by clinic or poison analysis while can be found changes in apoptosis, which indicate that small amount and chronic poisoning still affects the body.

Analysis of Variance↗
PubMed2004

[A survey of emergency treatment of pesticides poisoning in comprehensive hospitals].

OBJECTIVE: To seek the characteristics of pesticide poisoning in emergency departments. METHODS: Twenty-five hospitals were selected. Among them, they were 14 province or city level and 11 county level. The object of study was the patients with pesticide poisoning who were first visit to a doctor (including transfer to the above emergency departments of hospitals) from July 1, 2001 to June 30, 2002. RESULTS: There were 2 261 cases of pesticide poisoning that ranked third place of total acute poisoning cases at the same period. Gender ratio was 1 male to 1.47 female. Among 1 618 patients who first visited to emergency departments (excluding transfer), 43.9% were by emergency ambulance. 68.3% of total cases were caused by intentional exposure to pesticides, of which female accounted for 75.8%. Young people aged 15 to approximately 34 years accounted for 47.5% of all cases. Children (0 to approximately 14 years) also had relatively high pesticide poisoning rates, particularly an accident pesticide poisoning for 1- to approximately 4-year-old children accounted for 65.9% of total acute poisoning in the age group. 98.2% of all cases needed urgent medical treatment, and 52.4% were hospitalized. The leading occupation of patients was farmers followed by housekeepers, students and preschoolers. Insecticides poisoning accounted for 60.1% of all pesticides. The fatality rate in emergency department was 3.9%. 60.8% case was collected from county hospital. Pesticide poisoning rank first place of total acute poisoning cases in county hospital. CONCLUSION: A safety education of Knowledge Attitude Practice (KAP) is an effective measure for preventing pesticide poisoning.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2006

[A relational database to store Poison Centers calls].

Italian Poison Centers answer to approximately 100,000 calls per year. Potentially, this activity is a huge source of data for toxicovigilance and for syndromic surveillance. During the last decade, surveillance systems for early detection of outbreaks have drawn the attention of public health institutions due to the threat of terrorism and high-profile disease outbreaks. Poisoning surveillance needs the ongoing, systematic collection, analysis, interpretation, and dissemination of harmonised data about poisonings from all Poison Centers for use in public health action to reduce morbidity and mortality and to improve health. The entity-relationship model for a Poison Center relational database is extremely complex and not studied in detail. For this reason, not harmonised data collection happens among Italian Poison Centers. Entities are recognizable concepts, either concrete or abstract, such as patients and poisons, or events which have relevance to the database, such as calls. Connectivity and cardinality of relationships are complex as well. A one-to-many relationship exist between calls and patients: for one instance of entity calls, there are zero, one, or many instances of entity patients. At the same time, a one-to-many relationship exist between patients and poisons: for one instance of entity patients, there are zero, one, or many instances of entity poisons. This paper shows a relational model for a poison center database which allows the harmonised data collection of poison centers calls.

Databases, Factual↗
PubMed1991

[Acute poisoning in children in the region of Vojvodina].

The aim of this study was to examine the frequency, characteristics and regional differences of acute poisoning in children on the territory of AP Vojvodina. The medical histories of children aged from 0 to 15 years which were hospitalized in all hospitals throughout Vojvodina in the course of 1985 and 1986, were retrospectively analyzed. Acute poisoning in children on the territory of AP Vojvodina is represented by 2.5% in hospital morbidity. The most frequent causes of poisoning are drugs (62.8%), and after that follow pesticides (7.4%), alcohol (6.5%) and dissolvents (6.3%). The average age of those poisoned is 4 years and 2 months. Boys are more frequently poisoned than girls (54.5%: 45.5%). In the largest number of cases the circumstances of the poisoning remained unknown. Regional differences were observed in relation to the type of substance which was taken, as well as in relation to the age and sex of the poisoned, therefore the circumstances under which the poisoning occurred. The number of poisonings, the age of those poisoned and circumstances of poisoning indicate that preventive measures were absent and that they were suppressed.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1991

Poison control centers: can their value be measured?

Most regions of the United States are served by poison control centers that provide 24-hour toxicologic guidance resulting in the home management of most poison exposures. It has been suggested that without public access to a poison control hotline the majority of poison-exposed patients would seek medical care in emergency departments or other outpatient visits. This study compares the patterns of community response to poison exposure in Louisiana before and after the discontinuance of the state poison control service, and also compares these patterns to the situation in Alabama, which maintained poison center services throughout the study period. After discontinuance of the poison control service in Louisiana, poison exposure cases had up to four times the rate of "self-referral" to health care facilities and less than half the rate of home management when compared to Alabama cases. Before the closing of the Louisiana center, Alabama and Louisiana triage patterns for poison exposures were nearly identical. The maximum annual cost attributable to unnecessary outpatient service utilization in Louisiana was estimated to be $1.4 million, an amount more than three times the annual poison control center state appropriation.

Alabama↗
PubMed1988

The use of a scientific survey to direct poison center activities.

To develop a strategy for the development and implementation of future poison center services and prevention education activities, a telephone survey was conducted within the greater metropolitan region. The survey consisted of 58 questions developed to research information in 5 broad categories of consumer awareness of: poisoning accidents and their sources; Mr Yuk and the poison center; consumer response to poisonings; and education. The questionnaire was pretested and then conducted by experienced interviewers. Four hundred interviews were conducted over 12 consecutive days between the hours of 9:00 am and 8:00 pm to accomodate both working men and women. Respondents with a college education had significantly greater awareness of the poison center and Mr Yuk. Sixteen and 6/10 percent of the respondents had actually used the poison center. Homes with parents working outside of the home had a higher incidence of poisoning exposures. Respondents under 50 years of age had a significantly higher awareness of the poison center than those older than 50 (48% vs 27%). Furthermore, more respondents living in households of four or more knew about the poison center compared to smaller households (50% vs 36%). Only 5.5% of the respondents used the Mr Yuk sticker to obtain the telephone number of the poison center. Awareness of the poison center was 89.8%.

Data Collection↗
PubMed1998

Principal causes of poisoning in Quito, Ecuador: a retrospective epidemiology study.

At present there are no poison center or toxicology services available in Ecuador. In preparation to begin such a service it was decided to evaluate the occurrence and causes of poisoning in Quito (population 1.5 million). A retrospective chart review was performed for all of 1995 of all the patients admitted to the emergency departments of 3 main public hospitals of Quito for poisoning, excluding those who had ethanol and food poisoning. We analyzed sex, age, socio-economic status, origin and principal causes of poisoning; 850 cases were located. Predominant age groups seen were 15-30 y and 31-45 y. Poisoning with drugs was the major cause with 211 cases, followed by organophosphate and phosphorus poisoning. Principal drugs seen in poisoning were benzodiazepine, acetaminophen and aspirin. The occurrence of poisoning in Quito showed unique regional differences that will help prepare local health officials to establish intervention strategies for the reduction of morbidity and mortality from poisoning. Significant efforts in both public and professional education will need to be made to both reduce occurrence and better treat poisonings.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

Neurotoxic marine poisoning.

Marine poisoning results from the ingestion of marine animals that contain toxic substances and causes substantial illness in coastal regions. Three main clinical syndromes of marine poisoning have important neurological symptoms-ciguatera, tetrodotoxin poisoning, and paralytic shellfish poisoning. Ciguatera is the commonest syndrome of marine poisoning and is characterised by moderate to severe gastrointestinal effects (vomiting, diarrhoea, and abdominal cramps) and neurological effects (myalgia, paraesthesia, cold allodynia, and ataxia), but is rarely lethal. Tetrodotoxin poisoning and paralytic shellfish poisoning are less common but have a higher fatality rate than ciguatera. Mild gastrointestinal effects and a descending paralysis are characteristic of these types of poisoning. In severe poisoning, paralysis rapidly progresses to respiratory failure. Diagnosis of all types of marine poisoning is made from the circumstances of ingestion (type of fish and location) and the clinical effects. Because there are no antidotes, supportive care, including mechanical ventilation in patients with severe paralysis, is the mainstay of treatment.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

Effects of periodic administration of Nocardia rubra cell-wall skeleton on immunoglobulin production and B-cell-stimulatory factor activity in vitro in workers at a poison gas factory.

The former workers at the Okunojima poison gas factory (poison gas workers) are a high-risk group for malignant neoplasms and show abnormalities in cellular immunity. At the same time, poison gas workers often have chronic respiratory diseases, such as chronic bronchitis, and are highly susceptible to respiratory infections. To explore the possibility of immunological cancer prevention, we have periodically administered 200 micrograms Nocardia rubra cell-wall skeleton (N-CWS) to poison gas workers once every 3 months since December 1978. During this period, we noted a significantly lower incidence of influenza among poison gas workers receiving N-CWS than in those not receiving the drug during the influenza epidemic. This finding suggested that the administration of N-CWS enhanced the resistance of these workers to infections. Therefore, periodical administration of N-CWS to poison gas workers was considered to enhance the reduced T-cell function of normalizing antibody production by stimulating the production of B-cell-stimulatory factor (BSF). In the present study, to clarify the mechanism of immunosuppression in the poison gas workers and to examine the effects of continual administration of N-CWS on this condition, we compared the immunoglobulin production and the proliferative and differentiative activities of B-cell-stimulatory factor (BSF) of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC), in poison gas workers treated or not treated with N-CWS. Comparisons were also made with age-matched healthy controls. In the untreated poison gas workers, immunoglobulin and BSF production of PBMC were reduced as compared with the control group. On the other hand, in the poison gas workers receiving N-CWS, immunoglobulin and BSF production of PBMC were restored nearly to the control level. These results show that in vitro antibody production in the poison gas workers was reduced and that a reduction in BSF production of T cells was one of its causes.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗
PubMed2006

Potential risk of pathogen transmission by acaricide-poisoned ticks.

Many aspects of tick poisoning with acaricides have yet to be elucidated. One of them is the influence of acaricide poisoning on tick infectivity to their hosts. To clarify this problem, we should know how tick poisoning develops after acaricide application. Data obtained during more than three decades of work with ticks of various species and with acaricides of different groups are presented in the paper. The first important phenomenon found was the gradual and progressive development of toxic symptoms after acaricide application, with death of the treated ticks delayed for days or even weeks ('slow-death syndrome'). The development of symptoms was much faster after the application of fenthion, an organophosphorous acaricide, when compared to DDT, a chlorinated hydrocarbon. The larger the adult ticks of a particular species, the more refractory they were to acaricide action. The duration of the development of toxic symptoms directly correlates with the degree of species-specific refractoriness. A special index T(LD(50)) (T(LC(50)) was introduced for comparing the duration of the poisoning development between different tick species, populations etc. The index determines the time when the final mortality is reached after using the LD(50) of a particular acaricide. Another index , T(LD(90)), was used for practical purposes. The values of these indices decreased with increasing age of tick populations. The prolonged duration of poisoning was also observed in nymphal ticks of species with a prolonged life-span and the ability to over-winter (Ixodes, Haemaphysalis) but not in ticks characterized by a short life-span (Dermacentor). During the entire period of poisoning, from acaricide application until tick death, the individual tick passes through six stages defined by its locomotor capabilities. The stages are the same for nymphs and adults of both hard and soft ticks after treatment with various acaricides. When ticks are at the initial stages of poisoning (1st to 3rd stage for DDT or 1st to 2nd for fenthion), they can attach to hosts and imbibe blood. The average body weight of such ticks after repletion corresponded to that of control ticks. Engorged nymphal ticks normally molted to adults, engorged females normally oviposited, and their progeny did not differ from the progeny of control females. This second important phenomenon, called 'overcoming the poisoning', was observed in all studied species of ticks from several genera. Thus, the slow development of tick poisoning creates a potential for ticks to attach to hosts and to gorge blood, and for infected ticks to transmit pathogens to those hosts, while the ability to overcome the poisoning allows the ticks to survive and makes possible the subsequent trans-stadial and transovarial passage of pathogens. These data can be considered as strong circumstantial evidence of the risk that ticks can present to humans and animals at the initial stages of poisoning after acaricide treatment.

Aging↗
PubMed1982

Metabolic disorders of serum lipoproteins in endotoxin-poisoned mice: the role of high density lipoprotein (HDL) and triglyceride-rich lipoproteins.

A study was performed to clarify the role of serum lipoproteins, especially high density lipoprotein (HDL) and triglyceride-rich lipoproteins in endotoxemic or endotoxin-poisoned animals. The level of HDL-cholesterol decreased markedly in mouse serum 18-24 hr postintoxication, while the amount of low density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol in the sera of poisoned mice was about 175% of that of the controls. Serum lecithin-cholesterol acyltransferase activity in the poisoned mice decreased slightly for 3-6 hr after endotoxin injection, but became markedly increased at 18-24 hr as compared with that in the controls. The amount of serum very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) showed a marked increase in the poisoned mice 8-24 hr postintoxication. The HDL fraction in the electrophoretic patterns of serum was reduced according to the dose of endotoxin 18 hr postintoxication. The HDL fraction in mice injected with lead acetate plus endotoxin was markedly lower than that in the poisoned mice. When streptozotocin-diabetic mice were injected with endotoxin, the HDL fraction was higher than that in the endotoxin-poisoned mice. In endotoxin-poisoned mice a correlation was observed between the lipid peroxide and LDL levels in the serum. In disk electrophoretic patterns, the HDL fraction in mice given vitamin E-supplemented diet showed a higher level than that in mice given a normal diet. Lipoprotein lipase (LPL) activity in poisoned mice significantly decreased to 59% of the control value 18 hr postintoxication, but hepatic triglyceride lipase activity was only slightly increased in endotoxin-poisoned mice. In analysis of HDL apoprotein peptide in serum lipoprotein, the apo C-II peptide level was clearly lower in mouse serum 18 hr postintoxication than that in the controls. These results suggest that the decrease in LPL activity in endotoxin-poisoned mice may be closely related to a decrease in the apo C-II peptide level, and also that it plays an important part in HDL and triglyceride-rich lipoprotein metabolism in the poisoned mice.

Animals↗