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Toxins Nov 2022We review some of the precursor works of the Pasteurians in the field of bacterial toxins. The word "toxin" was coined in 1888 by Ludwig Brieger to qualify different... (Review)
Review
We review some of the precursor works of the Pasteurians in the field of bacterial toxins. The word "toxin" was coined in 1888 by Ludwig Brieger to qualify different types of poison released by bacteria. Pasteur had identified the bacteria as the cause of putrefaction but never used the word toxin. In 1888, Émile Roux and Alexandre Yersin were the first to demonstrate that the bacteria causing diphtheria was releasing a deadly toxin. In 1923, Gaston Ramon treated that toxin with formalin and heat, resulting in the concept of "anatoxin" as a mean of vaccination. A similar approach was performed to obtain the tetanus anatoxin by Pierre Descombey, Christian Zoeller and G. Ramon. On his side, Elie Metchnikoff also studied the tetanus toxin and investigated the cholera toxin. His colleague from Odessa, Nikolaï GamaleÏa who was expected to join Institut Pasteur, wrote the first book on bacterial poisons while other Pasteurians such as Etienne Burnet, Maurice Nicolle, Emile Césari, and Constant Jouan wrote books on toxins. Concerning the endotoxins, Alexandre Besredka obtained the first immune antiserum against lipopolysaccharide, and André Boivin characterized the biochemical nature of the endotoxins in a work initiated with Lydia Mesrobeanu in Bucharest.
Topics: Humans; Tetanus; Endotoxins; Tetanus Toxin; Bacteria; Poisons
PubMed: 36356009
DOI: 10.3390/toxins14110759 -
The Veterinary Clinics of North... Apr 2024Range and pasture toxic plants can poison horses. Many of these plants are noxious weeds that can dominate plant populations and replace healthy forages. Poisoning is... (Review)
Review
Range and pasture toxic plants can poison horses. Many of these plants are noxious weeds that can dominate plant populations and replace healthy forages. Poisoning is often difficult to diagnose as the resulting plant-induced disease is similar to other infectious, toxic, and nutritional diseases. Identifying potentially problem plants, and observing what plants horses are eating, is essential in determining the risk of poisoning. If the risk is significant, it can drive management to invest in strategies to avoid exposure, animal disease, and suffering.
Topics: Animals; Horses; Poisons; Horse Diseases; Plants, Toxic
PubMed: 38184454
DOI: 10.1016/j.cveq.2023.12.002 -
Journal of Medical Toxicology :... Jul 2023
Topics: Child; Humans; Poisons; Poison Control Centers; Environmental Health
PubMed: 36988816
DOI: 10.1007/s13181-023-00942-6 -
The Veterinary Clinics of North... Nov 2018Each year the Animal Poison Control Center of the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals receives thousands of reports of suspected animal poisonings.... (Review)
Review
Each year the Animal Poison Control Center of the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals receives thousands of reports of suspected animal poisonings. By using an electronic medical record database maintained by the Animal Poison Control Center, data on current trends in animal poisoning cases are mined and analyzed This article explores recent trends in veterinary toxicology including the types of animals and breeds that are most commonly exposed to different toxicants, seasonal and geographic distribution of poisoning incidents, the therapies that are most commonly administered, and trends in agents that are most frequently involved in poisonings.
Topics: Animals; Cat Diseases; Cats; Databases, Factual; Dog Diseases; Dogs; Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions; Environmental Exposure; Hotlines; Insecticides; Poison Control Centers; Poisoning; United States
PubMed: 30342566
DOI: 10.1016/j.cvsm.2018.07.010 -
PloS One 2023Researchers have begun studying the impact of human opioid and cannabinoid use on dog populations. These studies have used data from an animal poison control center...
Comparing the diagnostic performance of ordinary, mixed, and lasso logistic regression models at identifying opioid and cannabinoid poisoning in U.S. dogs using pet demographic and clinical data reported to an animal poison control center (2005-2014).
Researchers have begun studying the impact of human opioid and cannabinoid use on dog populations. These studies have used data from an animal poison control center (APCC) and there are concerns that due to the illicit nature and social stigma concerning the use of these drugs, owners may not always be forthcoming with veterinarians or APCC staff regarding pet exposures to these toxicants. As a result, models derived from APCC data that examine the predictability of opioid and cannabinoid dog poisonings using pet demographic and health disorder information may help veterinarians or APCC staff more reliably identify these toxicants when examining or responding to a call concerning a dog poisoned by an unknown toxicant. The fitting of epidemiologically informed statistical models has been useful for identifying factors associated with various health conditions and as predictive tools. However, machine learning, including lasso regression, has many useful features as predictive tools, including the ability to incorporate large numbers of independent variables. Consequently, the objectives of our study were: 1) identify pet demographic and health disorders associated with opioid and cannabinoid dog poisonings using ordinary and mixed logistic regression models; and 2) compare the predictive performance of these models to analogous lasso logistic regression models. Data were obtained from reports of dog poisoning events collected by the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals' (ASPCA) Animal Poisoning Control Center, from 2005-2014. We used ordinary and mixed logistic regression models as well as lasso logistic regression models with and without controlling for autocorrelation at the state level to train our models on half the dataset and test their predictive performance on the remainder. Although epidemiologically informed logistic regression models may require substantial knowledge of the disease systems being investigated, they had the same predictive abilities as lasso logistic regression models. All models had relatively high predictive parameters except for positive predictive values, due to the rare nature of calls concerning opioid and cannabinoid poisonings. Ordinary and mixed logistic regression models were also substantially more parsimonious than their lasso equivalents while still allowing for the epidemiological interpretation of model coefficients. Controlling for autocorrelation had little effect on the predictive performance of all models, but it did reduce the number of variables included in lasso models. Several disorder variables were associated with opioid and cannabinoid calls that were consistent with the acute effects of these toxicants. These models may help build diagnostic evidence concerning dog exposure to opioids and cannabinoids, saving time and resources when investigating these cases.
Topics: Animals; Dogs; Humans; United States; Analgesics, Opioid; Logistic Models; Poison Control Centers; Hazardous Substances; Demography; Poisoning
PubMed: 37428780
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0288339 -
Toxicon : Official Journal of the... Nov 2022Vinegaroons (Mastigoproctus giganteus), also known as whip scorpions, are arachnids commonly found in the southwestern United States, parts of Mexico, and southern...
BACKGROUND
Vinegaroons (Mastigoproctus giganteus), also known as whip scorpions, are arachnids commonly found in the southwestern United States, parts of Mexico, and southern Florida. They do not bite, but have special teeth on the inside of the trochanters of the front appendages, used to crush prey. They are best known for having pygidial gland secretions containing 83% acetic acid, which are sprayed upon potential predators. There are no published descriptions of injury to human related to vinegaroon exposures. Our primary aim was to characterize types of exposures and clinical effects reported to a poison center that serves an area indigenous to this animal.
METHODS
The database from a regional poison center was searched for all cases from 1998 to 2022 regarding human exposures to the vinegaroon. Data captured included age, sex, exposure route, type and duration of symptoms, and part of the body affected.
RESULTS
There were 50 exposures reported, with age range from 5 months to 54 years. Females represented 32 cases, males 17, and one unknown. Bites were more commonly described (36 cases), with 13 cases reported skin exposure to secretions, 3 ocular exposures, and 2 ingestions. Location of injury was upper extremities in 16 cases, lower in 11 cases, and torso in 3 cases. Symptoms were present in 88% and included pain, skin erythema, numbness or tingling, itching, and swelling. Ocular exposure were associated with pain in all 3 cases, with blurred vision in one case; effects lasted 1 h, 17 h, and more than 5 days. Four non-ocular exposures were followed to outcome, with duration of effects ranging from less than 1 h to more than 2 days.
DISCUSSION/CONCLUSION
In a large series of vinegaroon exposures, females predominated, with most exposures occurring from skin contact with secretions. The most common symptoms were pain, erythema, numbness, itching, and swelling, which resolved in less than two days. Ocular exposures were associated with more symptoms and longer duration of effects.
Topics: Male; Animals; Female; Humans; Infant; Poison Control Centers; Poisons; Hypesthesia; Scorpions; Bites and Stings; Pain; Pruritus; Retrospective Studies
PubMed: 36210603
DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2022.09.014 -
Toxins Jul 2021Tetrodotoxin (TTX) is a potent neurotoxin that was first identified in pufferfish but has since been isolated from an array of taxa that host TTX-producing bacteria.... (Review)
Review
Tetrodotoxin (TTX) is a potent neurotoxin that was first identified in pufferfish but has since been isolated from an array of taxa that host TTX-producing bacteria. However, determining its origin, ecosystem roles, and biomedical applications has challenged researchers for decades. Recognized as a poison and for its lethal effects on humans when ingested, TTX is primarily a powerful sodium channel inhibitor that targets voltage-gated sodium channels, including six of the nine mammalian isoforms. Although lethal doses for humans range from 1.5-2.0 mg TTX (blood level 9 ng/mL), when it is administered at levels far below LD, TTX exhibits therapeutic properties, especially to treat cancer-related pain, neuropathic pain, and visceral pain. Furthermore, TTX can potentially treat a variety of medical ailments, including heroin and cocaine withdrawal symptoms, spinal cord injuries, brain trauma, and some kinds of tumors. Here, we (i) describe the perplexing evolution and ecology of tetrodotoxin, (ii) review its mechanisms and modes of action, and (iii) offer an overview of the numerous ways it may be applied as a therapeutic. There is much to be explored in these three areas, and we offer ideas for future research that combine evolutionary biology with therapeutics. The TTX system holds great promise as a therapeutic and understanding the origin and chemical ecology of TTX as a poison will only improve its general benefit to humanity.
Topics: Animals; Drug Resistance; Ecology; Humans; Neurotoxins; Phylogeny; Poisons; Sodium Channel Blockers; Tetrodotoxin
PubMed: 34437388
DOI: 10.3390/toxins13080517 -
Emergency Medicine Clinics of North... May 2022Approximately 30% of poison exposures reported to centers each year are either referred to or initiated within a health care facility. Among these exposures,... (Review)
Review
Approximately 30% of poison exposures reported to centers each year are either referred to or initiated within a health care facility. Among these exposures, undifferentiated poisoned patients are among the most challenging cases faced in the emergency department. Airway, breathing, circulation (ABCs) is central to the management of unknown poisoned patient. After initial stabilization, taking a systematic approach presented here may be beneficial to the clinician. This includes considering key additional history, a possible toxidrome, and data in the form of vital signs, physical examination, laboratory analysis, ECG, and imaging. After which a tailored approach to supportive care, decontamination, possible antidotes, and enhanced elimination techniques will improve outcomes.
Topics: Antidotes; Emergency Service, Hospital; Humans; Physical Examination; Poisoning
PubMed: 35461619
DOI: 10.1016/j.emc.2022.01.011 -
Journal of Psychiatric Research Jul 2023In the U.S., intentional self-poisonings with analgesics that are available without a prescription increased from 2000 to 2018. Given concerns regarding mental health...
In the U.S., intentional self-poisonings with analgesics that are available without a prescription increased from 2000 to 2018. Given concerns regarding mental health outcomes during the COVID-19 pandemic, we examined and compared trends in pediatric and adult intentional self-poisoning with acetaminophen, aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen from 2016 to 2021 using the National Poison Data System (NPDS) to see if these trends have continued. We extracted annual case counts of all suspected suicide attempts from intentional poisoning, and of suspected suicide attempts resulting in major effects or death, from the NPDS for non-prescription single ingredient adult formulation acetaminophen, non-prescription single ingredient adult formulation aspirin, single ingredient formulation ibuprofen, and single ingredient formulation naproxen. We enumerated the cases by year, age, and gender. Most cases of intentional self-poisoning within the review period involved acetaminophen and ibuprofen and the 13-19-year-olds constituted the highest proportion of intentional self-poisoning cases across age groups for all four analgesics. Cases involving females predominated cases involving males by 3:1 or greater. The 13-19-year-old age group also represented the largest proportion of cases that resulted in major clinical effects or deaths. An increasing trend in suicide poisoning cases with acetaminophen and ibuprofen was observed in the 6-19-years age group and this trend appeared to exacerbate from 2020 to 2021 corresponding with the start of the COVID-19 pandemic period.
Topics: Male; Adult; Female; Humans; Child; Adolescent; Young Adult; Poisons; Acetaminophen; Ibuprofen; Naproxen; Pandemics; Poison Control Centers; COVID-19; Analgesics; Aspirin
PubMed: 37270880
DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2023.05.076 -
Naunyn-Schmiedeberg's Archives of... Nov 2022Poisoning occurs frequently in TV crime series but, to the best of our knowledge, has not yet been analyzed scientifically. This study examines the plausibility of...
Poisoning occurs frequently in TV crime series but, to the best of our knowledge, has not yet been analyzed scientifically. This study examines the plausibility of poisoning cases in Germany's most popular crime series, Tatort (crime scene), from 1974 to 2022. In the TV series, the increasing rate of poisoning in Germany as well as the increasing variety of substances leading to poisoning over the years are depicted. Largely in line with reality, similar substance categories and routes of administration are presented. However, poisoning outcomes in Tatort differ from reality: over 50% of the victims die in Tatort, whereas in reality, more than 80% survive. In > 95% of the episodes, the mechanism of action of a poison is not explained, omitting an important opportunity for raising public awareness. The TV series also deviates from reality in terms of the etiology of poisonings: External poison delivery is largely overrepresented, while the high rate of accidental poisonings in real life is underrepresented. Almost no accidental poisonings occur in Tatort, although this is the most frequent type of poisoning in real life. In Tatort, men are overrepresented as offenders and victims of poisoning compared to reality. Thus, the crime series does not convey the message that anyone can be a potential victim of poisoning and that particularly vulnerable groups need proper education and the best possible protection. This paper discusses the conflict between detailed, plausible episodes with cases of poisoning and the potential for imitation that they may cause.
Topics: Crime; Germany; Humans; Male; Poisons
PubMed: 35970967
DOI: 10.1007/s00210-022-02281-9