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At least 109 records · Page 6Linked to original sources
PubMed2005

Detection of anticoagulant residues by a new HPLC method in specimens of poisoned animals and a poison control case study.

Poisonings of domestic and wildlife animals are frequently caused by anticoagulants. Between 1996 and 2003, 70% of all suspected animal poisoning cases were confirmed in this laboratory following analysis of a variety of specimens. Thirty-nine percent of all animal poisonings detected in this laboratory were caused by anticoagulants. Suspicious veterinarians and pet owners involved with animal poisonings ask for toxicological analyses. With respect to these demands, a new high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method (system-I, reversed-phase C-18 column, methanol/ammonium acetate) combined with specific extraction procedures was developed for the sensitive detection of nine substances with anticoagulative properties. This method yields high recoveries of the analytes, which can simultaneously be detected. In addition, another HPLC (system-II, acetonitrile/potassium phosphate) was used to confirm and separate chromatographic peaks, which could not be resolved by HPLC system-I. The reliable method has good reproducibility and is most suitable for forensic analyses. Using these analytical procedures, concentrations of eight organic anticoagulants were determined in more than 100 aliquots of animal liver, blood, bait, gastric content, bloody intestinal content, and water. Over the last eight years, dogs and wild birds were the most frequently poisoned species. Interestingly, lethally poisoned birds had lower anticoagulant residues in their organs than mammals.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

Tropical fish poisoning in temperate climates: food poisoning from ciguatera toxin presenting in Avonmouth.

Ciguatera toxin causes a range of gastrointestinal, cardiovascular and neurological symptoms that occur within 1-6 h of ingesting fish with the toxin and can last for days, months or years. It is a well-recognized problem in the tropics. Avon Health Protection Team investigated food poisoning on a ship at Avonmouth, which was thought by the crew to be related to a white snapper fish from the Caribbean. The symptoms were initially thought to be scombroid fish poisoning but were consistent with ciguatera fish poisoning. Cases of fish poisoning from fish imported from the Caribbean and Pacific or travellers returning from tropical countries may be ciguatera fish poisoning, but mistakenly diagnosed as scombroid fish poisoning.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Lithium poisoning from a poison control center perspective.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the severity of lithium poisoning from a poison control center-based population and the correlation of the Hansen and Amdisen classification with outcome and lithium levels in that setting. All lithium overdoses brought to the attention of the poison control center were prospectively observed during 1 year. Demographic data, amount ingested, coingestants, symptoms and signs, lithium levels, treatment, and outcome were recorded. There were 12 acute lithium overdoses: 5, 5, and 2 with grade 0, 1, and 2, respectively. No patients required hemodialysis or had sequelae or died. There were 174 acute-on-chronic overdoses: 66, 85, 15, and 8 with grade 0, 1, 2, and 3, respectively. Six patients underwent hemodialysis; none had sequelae but one died. There were 19 chronic poisonings: 9, 9, and 1 with grade 1, 2, and 3, respectively. Three patients underwent hemodialysis; one had sequelae and one died. Patients classified as grade 2 had higher lithium levels than those with grade 1 in patients with only lithium poisoning (3.08 +/- 0.77 vs. 2.09 +/- 0.91 mmol/L P = 0.03). The study concluded that morbidity (0.5%) and mortality (1%) associated with lithium poisoning are rarely observed. The Hansen and Amdisen classification does not appear to be a useful clinical tool to predict either morbidity or mortality and does not correlate well with lithium levels.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1989

Self-poisoning in Sri Lanka: factors determining the choice of the poisoning agents.

Sri Lanka is a developing agricultural country with a high fatality rate due to self-poisoning with very toxic agrochemicals as the main poisoning agents. A prospective study of 97 consecutive admissions following self-poisoning reveals that easy availability of the agrochemicals together with the lack of knowledge regarding their lethality were the main causative factors determining the choice of poisoning agents. Developing community awareness of the lethality of these substances, educating the farmers with regards to proper storage and disposal of agrochemicals together with stricter legislation regarding their sale and distribution may reduce the incidence of self-poisoning due to these agents with a consequent reduction in mortality due to self-poisoning.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

Severity grading of childhood poisoning: the Multicentre Study of Poisoning in Children (MSPC) score.

Scores for severity grading of childhood poisoning may be useful in comparing different causes of poisoning, in order to identify the main risks and their changes over time. The Multicentre Study of Poisoning in Children score is based on four levels of severity (1-mild, 2-moderate, 3-severe, 4-very severe) involving nine target groups: seven relating to organ systems (gastrointestinal, nervous, respiratory, circulatory, renal, hepatic, skin), one to metabolic abnormalities and one to injuries from corrosive substances. Each patient is classified by the highest level attributed to any one of the nine groups. The score has been prospectively tested in 644 symptomatic children, aged 0-13 years, admitted to six pediatric hospitals of Northern Italy from January 1, 1991 to December 31, 1993. Poisoning was categorized as mild (1) in 357 children (53.8%), moderate (2) in 285 (42.9%), severe (3) in 18 (2.7%) and very severe (4) in 4 (0.6%). No deaths occurred. Severity grading according to The Multicentre Study of Poisoning in Children score confirms the prevalence of mild and moderate poisonings in children; the score seems to be an objective method suitable for epidemiological studies in different countries. Its clinical usefulness deserves more investigation.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

Severity and carbamazepine level at time of initial poison center contact correlate with outcome in carbamazepine poisoning.

We reviewed data from carbamazepine poisonings reported to the Kentucky Regional Poison Center from January 1986 through March 1992 to identify information available at the time of poison center contact which correlates to outcome. The Spearman rank correlation test was used to describe the relationship between two ordinal variables and interval-level variables. The Kruskal-Wallis test was used to determine the relationship between categorical and ordinal variables. Two way analysis of variance was used to test the effect of routine carbamazepine use on final severity and carbamazepine level of 345 reports involving carbamazepine poisoning; 263 (76%) involved only carbamazepine ingestion and formed the database. One hundred eighty four (70%) carbamazepine ingestions occurred in victims < or = 17 years old, 79 (30%) occurred in adults. Severity assigned at the time of initial poison center contact was significantly correlated with outcome severity for children and adults (r > or = 0.9, p < 0.00001). The amount reported ingested influenced the correlation between initial and final severity; whereas, time elapsed between ingestion and poison center contact did not alter the correlation between initial and final severity. The reason for ingestion was significantly correlated with outcome (p < 0.00001). A significant correlation between outcome and peak carbamazepine level for each age group was observed (pediatric r = 0.5, p < 0.00001, and adult r = 0.4, p = 0.008). Carbamazepine levels > 85 mumol/L (> 20 mcg/mL) were associated with more severe toxicity.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2006

[Accreditation criteria and quality standards for Poisons centres: development of a quality management system within the Milan Poisons centre].

Poisons centres throughout Italy and Europe vary considerably in terms of their institutions and organisation. The European Association of Poisons Centres and Clinical Toxicologists (EAPCCT) has laid down the activities that a poisons centre must carry out, specifying minimum and maximum standards required. These directions allow an evaluation of the service provided. In 2002 Milan Poisons Centre began a project aiming to introduce concepts and methodology proper of the quality systems within poisons centres' institutional activity. Concluded, the project resulted in the centre's certification and the documentation of its procedures: this may now contribute to help define the status and activity of poisons centres in Italy.

Accreditation↗
PubMed1984

Arrow poisons in south Asia. Part 1. Arrow poisons in ancient India.

The use of arrow poisons in ancient India is discussed. While it is possible that Mesolithic hunting communities may have applied poison to their arrows, passages in the Rg Veda and Atharva Veda indicate its use in warfare. The meaning of the word -ala, used in the Rg Veda to denote the poison smeared on the arrowheads, is examined; but the available evidence, while almost certainly excluding a mineral (arsenical) source, does not allow a conclusion to be drawn between an animal and/or plant origin. Certain hymns in the Atharva Veda point to aconite tubers as one source. Later Sanskrit (and Buddhist) literature shows that poisoned arrows continued to be used and that a second source of poison was (putrefying) snakes--a source confirmed by an account in the classical literature of Alexander the Great's campaign in western India. Detailed descriptions of the symptoms and methods of treatment of wounds caused by poisoned arrows are to be found in the Sanskrit medical literature.

History, Ancient↗
PubMed1983

Acute chlormethiazole poisoning in patients notified to the Poisons Unit, Guy's Hospital, 1978--1981.

1 Out of 493 patients with suspected acute chlormethiazole poisoning notified to the Poisons Unit, Guy's Hospital during 1978--1981, the diagnosis was confirmed either analytically or by detailed clinical information in 108 patients, 40 of whom had ingested chlormethiazole alone. 2 The principal signs reported indicate that the clinical features of acute chlormethiazole poisoning resemble those of barbiturate poisoning, with deep coma (n = 66), respiratory depression (n = 26) and hypotension (n = 17) in the severe cases. Five patients died as a result of early, profound respiratory depression. 3 In 53 survivors in whom toxicological analyses were performed, poisoning with chlormethiazole alone had a better prognosis than when ethanol or other drugs were also present, except in patients with hepatic or pulmonary disease or in the elderly. 4 These results emphasise that although patients poisoned with chlormethiazole who survive to reach hospital generally have a good prognosis, fatal respiratory complications often occur before the patient can be treated.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1989

Histamine poisoning (scombroid fish poisoning): an allergy-like intoxication.

Histamine poisoning results from the consumption of foods, typically certain types of fish and cheeses, that contain unusually high levels of histamine. Spoiled fish of the families, Scombridae and Scomberesocidae (e.g. tuna, mackerel, bonito), are commonly implicated in incidents of histamine poisoning, which leads to the common usage of the term, "scombroid fish poisoning", to describe this illness. However, certain non-scombroid fish, most notably mahi-mahi, bluefish, and sardines, when spoiled are also commonly implicated in histamine poisoning. Also, on rare occasions, cheeses especially Swiss cheese, can be implicated in histamine poisoning. The symptoms of histamine poisoning generally resemble the symptoms encountered with IgE-mediated food allergies. The symptoms include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, an oral burning sensation or peppery taste, hives, itching, red rash, and hypotension. The onset of the symptoms usually occurs within a few minutes after ingestion of the implicated food, and the duration of symptoms ranges from a few hours to 24 h. Antihistamines can be used effectively to treat this intoxication. Histamine is formed in foods by certain bacteria that are able to decarboxylate the amino acid, histidine. However, foods containing unusually high levels of histamine may not appear to be outwardly spoiled. Foods with histamine concentrations exceeding 50 mg per 100 g of food are generally considered to be hazardous. Histamine formation in fish can be prevented by proper handling and refrigerated storage while the control of histamine formation in cheese seems dependent on insuring that histamine-producing bacteria are not present in significant numbers in the raw milk.

Cheese↗
PubMed1989

[Clinical studies on paraquat poisoning; prognosis and severity index of paraquat poisoning using the urine levels].

The prognosis of paraquat poisoning has been assessed from serum paraquat levels using e.g. produfoot survival curve. The prognosis of paraquat poisoning has not been investigated from urinary paraquat levels. The purpose of this study is to clarify whether the prognosis of paraquat poisoning can be determined by urinary paraquat levels or not. Urinary severity index of paraquat poisoning (U-SIPP) was employed. U-SIPP is calculated as hours between ingestion of paraquat and start of intensive treatment multiplied by the paraquat level in the urine at the same time. Urinary excretion of paraquat is correlated with renal function. The prognosis of paraquat poisoning using U-SIPP was further discussed, based on creatinine clearance (Ccr) and the relation between serum and urine paraquat levels. The following results were obtained. 1) When creatinine clearance was greater than 20 ml/min, patients who died of circulatory failure were with U-SIPP level over 1250, patients who died of respiratory failure were with U-SIPP level between 1250 and 250, and survivors were with U-SIPP below 250. 2) Survival duration was closely correlative with U-SIPP in cases with Ccr greater than 20 ml/min (r = 0.8123, p less than 0.025). 3) When Ccr was greater than 20 ml/min, urinary paraquat levels were correlated very well with the serum levels at admission, even during direct hemoperfusion (DHP) treatment. 4) When diuretic agents such as furosemide was effective, the assessment of the prognosis of paraquat poisoning using urinary paraquat levels seemed to be possible. Urinary paraquat level was approximately measured by an applied qualitative analysis method with using a dilution method.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

Epidemiology of poisoning due to pharmaceutical products, Poison Control Centre, Seville, Spain.

A retrospective study of telephone calls concerning poisoning due to pharmaceutical products, attended by the Toxicological Information Service in Seville (Spain), is presented. The years 1993 and 1994 were analized. Demographic data including the age and sex of the patient, route of exposure, cause, type of poisoning and the therapeutic group, was obtained. The great majority were cases of acute poisoning due to domestic accident, attempted suicide took second place. Ingestion was the principal route of entry, and more males than females were affected. 35.2% were children under two. In general, the medicines most frequently involved were those affecting the nervous system (28.1%)--principally analgesics, anxiolytics and antidepressants--followed by dermatological agents (13.7%)--such as antiseptics and disinfectants-and those affecting the respiratory (medicines to treat common cold, bronchodilators, antitussives) and digestive systems (laxatives, antiacids). It is hoped that with knowledge of data from as many poisons centres as possible, an improvement may gradually be seen in the prevention of the such poisoning in the future.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

[A study on acute organophosphorus poisoning--changes in the activity and isoenzyme patterns of serum cholinesterase in human poisoning].

Various organophosphorus compounds with low acute toxicity levels are widely used as insecticides. Human acute poisoning by organophosphates has often occurred accidentally. We determined the activity and isoenzyme patterns of serum cholinesterase (ChE) obtained from 13 human patients who attempted suicide with various organophosphates, i.e. Fenitrothion, Malathion, Isoxathion, Pyridaphenthion and Trichlorfon, and studied on the changes in the activity and isoenzyme patterns of serum ChE after ingestion. The following results were obtained. 1) Twenty ChE isoenzyme bands from normal human serum were detected by electrophoretic separation on polyacrylamide gradient gel. The main bands in the ChE isoenzyme pattern in normal serum were bands 4 and 5 which had the highest activity of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) with a molecular weight of 600,000-800,000, and bands 7, 12, 14, 17 and 18. 2) Inhibition of serum ChE activity was more severe as the amount ingested increased in patients who took Fenitrothion and Malathion. Reactivation of serum ChE activity was very slow in patients treated with PAM (2-pyridine aldoxime methiodide) in the late stage of ingestion or whose symptoms reappeared. 3) There were no differences in the patterns of serum ChE isoenzyme by organophosphorus compound. Band 7 disappeared in the serum ChE isoenzyme of almost every patient, and bands 12, 18, 14 and 17 of the serum ChE isoenzyme disappeared successively with the decline of serum ChE activity. Only band 5 of the isoenzyme remained in cases who had serum ChE activity lower than 5% of normal. 4) All 13 patients were treated with PAM and atropine immediately after being admitted to hospitals. We could not clearly determine the efficacy of PAM on reactivation of serum ChE activity and isoenzyme, because it was impossible in human poisoning to compare PAM efficacy with no treatment and with pre- and post-PAM treatment. 5) The activity and isoenzyme patterns of serum ChE recovered rapidly after combined hemoperfusion and hemodialysis treatment (HP-HD treatment) of the patients poisoned with Malathion. But HP-HD treatment had no effect on poisoning by Fenitrothion and Isoxathion. These findings demonstrated the changes in the activity and isoenzyme pattern of serum ChE in patients poisoned with several organophosphates after PAM and HP-HD treatment.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1992

The poison center as a reservoir for antidotes for veterinary poisoning emergencies.

Animal poisonings account for a significant number of the cases responded to by poison centers. The majority of consultations involve small animals and do not necessitate the use of large amounts of pharmacologic antagonists, such as atropine to treat anticholinesterase pesticide poisonings. However, large animals such as cattle present unique management problems, since phenomenal amounts of antidotes may be needed to treat a herd of cattle, creating a significant economic impact. The most challenging dilemma is providing 24-h availability and a means of acquisition of sufficient quantities of antidotes to reduce the economic impact of large-animal poisonings. In conjunction with a state veterinary medical association, a RPIC serves as a depot for the storage and distribution of emergency veterinary antidotes. Sufficient quantities of atropine, methylene blue, calcium EDTA, sodium nitrite and thiosulfate, and activated charcoal are available via the RPIC to treat a herd of 200 cattle. The antidotes are available only for emergency treatment and with a veterinary prescription. The 24-h nature of the poison center makes it an ideal location to serve the needs of veterinarians.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Agricultural pesticide-related poisonings in Italy: cases reported to the Poison Control Centre of Milan in 2000-2001].

OBJECTIVE: Aim of the present study is to provide a preliminary description of agricultural pesticide-related poisonings in Italy. DESIGN: The study focuses on the cases with at least one sign or symptom due to exposure to agricultural pesticides occurred in 2000-2001 and referred to the Poison control centre of Milan, the Italian centre more frequently consulted nationwide. RESULTS: During the study period, 872 agricultural pesticide-related poisonings were identified. Most of the observed cases occurred in Sicily (n=199), Lombardy (n=100), Apulia (n=99), Veneto (n=75), Emilia-Romagna (n=67) and Campania (n=59). About 86% of the observed cases were unintentional and about 76% of them were men. Children aged 10 or less accounted for about 6% of the total. The poisonings occurred more frequently at home (about 38%) than at workplace (about 24%). The chemical classes of agents more frequently reported were: organophosphates (233 cases), copper and sulphur compounds (140 cases), carbamates (126 cases) and pyrethrins/pyrethroids (102 cases). The top six pesticides associated with poisonings were methomyl (97 cases), dimethoate (59 cases), copper sulfate (58 cases), glyphosate (53 cases), sulphur compounds other than copper sulfate (47 cases), and paraquat dichloride (41 cases). CONCLUSION: The data here presented provide an initial support to identify priorities for prevention in agricultural settings.

Adult↗