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CMAJ : Canadian Medical Association... Aug 2023
Topics: Humans; Lead; Lead Poisoning; Medicine, Ayurvedic
PubMed: 37553150
DOI: 10.1503/cmaj.230592 -
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 -
Health Promotion and Chronic Disease... Jul 2022Consumption of cocaine can lead to numerous injuries and poisoning. However, only a limited number of studies have explored cocaine-related injuries. This study examined...
Sentinel surveillance of injuries and poisonings associated with cocaine and other substance use: results from the Canadian Hospitals Injury Reporting and Prevention Program (CHIRPP).
INTRODUCTION
Consumption of cocaine can lead to numerous injuries and poisoning. However, only a limited number of studies have explored cocaine-related injuries. This study examined a wide range of injuries and poisonings related to cocaine only and in combination with other substances in Canada using sentinel surveillance data captured by the electronic Canadian Hospitals Injury Reporting and Prevention Program (eCHIRPP).
METHODS
Injuries and poisonings related to the use of cocaine only or in combination with other substances were identified in the eCHIRPP database between January 2012 and December 2019 for all ages. Descriptive analyses were performed to investigate the distribution of demographic and injury characteristics in poisoning and injury records related to the use of cocaine only and in combination with other substances. Statistical analyses were conducted to find the proportion of cocaine-related injuries per 100000 eCHIRPP records. Cocaine-related injury trends were assessed using annual percent change (APC) Results: Cocaine-related injuries and poisonings were observed in 123 records per 100 000 eCHIRPP records. Of the 1482 patients who presented to emergency departments of CHIRPP sites with this type of injury or poisoning, the majority involved cocaine use in combination with one or more substances (80.0%; n = 1186), whereas cocaine-only use was the minority (20.0%; n = 296). Among all cocaine-related records, poisoning was the leading diagnosis (62.7%; n = 930) and most injuries and poisonings were unintentional (73.5%; n = 1090). Overall, the trend of cocaine-related eCHIRPP records for all age groups increased over the study period from 2012 to 2019 (APC [total] = 47.8%, p < 0.05).
CONCLUSION
Our findings of a higher proportion of cocaine-related injuries and poisonings among adolescents and young adults, as well as the co-consumption of cocaine with other substances, demonstrate the importance of extensive surveillance of cocainerelated injuries and poisonings and the implementation of evidence-based public health interventions.
Topics: Adolescent; Canada; Cocaine; Emergency Service, Hospital; Hospitals; Humans; Poisoning; Sentinel Surveillance; Substance-Related Disorders; Wounds and Injuries; Young Adult
PubMed: 35830216
DOI: 10.24095/hpcdp.42.7.01 -
British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology Dec 2020With rising use worldwide, pregabalin is increasingly implicated in poisoning deaths. We aimed to investigate the clinical effects and complications of pregabalin...
AIMS
With rising use worldwide, pregabalin is increasingly implicated in poisoning deaths. We aimed to investigate the clinical effects and complications of pregabalin poisoning.
METHODS
This is a retrospective review of patients presenting with pregabalin poisoning to two tertiary toxicology units from 1 July 2014 to 30 June 2019. Patients were identified from prospective databases maintained by both units and data were extracted from these in addition to medical records.
RESULTS
There were 488 presentations in 413 patients (237 [57%] male) over the five-year period. The median age was 41 years (IQR 31-50 years). Deliberate self-poisonings accounted for 342 (70%) presentations, with 121 (25%) recreational exposures. Recreational exposures increased over the period from 2 (4%) in the first year to 54 (39%) presentations in the final year. The median dose of pregabalin was 1200 mg (IQR 600-3000 mg, range 75-16 800 mg). Co-ingestions occurred in 427 (88%) presentations, with sedating agents being co-ingested in 387 (79%)-most commonly opioids and benzodiazepines in 201 (41%) and 174 (36%) presentations respectively. Coma (GCS < 9) occurred in 89 (18%) cases, with 52 (11%) patients being intubated. Only one (0.2%) of these patients had not co-ingested a sedating agent. Hypotension occurred in 26 (5%) cases, all with co-ingestants. Seizures occurred in 11 (2%) cases, 3/59 (5%) in pregabalin-only overdoses. The median length of stay was 16.5 hours (IQR 10-25 hours).
CONCLUSIONS
Pregabalin overdose does not cause severe toxicity, but rather mild sedation and, uncommonly, seizures. Coma is common in the presence of sedating co-ingestants. Recreational use is increasing.
Topics: Adult; Analgesics, Opioid; Benzodiazepines; Drug Overdose; Female; Humans; Male; Poisoning; Pregabalin; Retrospective Studies
PubMed: 32374500
DOI: 10.1111/bcp.14348 -
Annals of Global Health Jul 2019The dearth of information on the economic cost of childhood poisoning in sub-Saharan Africa necessitated this study.
BACKGROUND
The dearth of information on the economic cost of childhood poisoning in sub-Saharan Africa necessitated this study.
OBJECTIVE
This study has investigated the prevalence of childhood drug and non-drug poisoning, treatment modalities and economic costs in Nigeria.
METHOD
A retrospective study of childhood drug and non-drug poisoning cases from January 2007 to June 2014 in the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH), Port Harcourt, Nigeria was carried out. Medical records were analysed for demographic and aetiological characteristics of poisoned children (0-14 years of age), as well as fiscal impact of poisoning cases.
FINDINGS
Of the 100 poisoned patients, 46% were male and 54% female, with female/male ratio of 1.17:1. Most of the children were under five years of age. Paracetamol, amitriptyline, chlorpromazine, ferrous sulphate, kerosene, organophosphates, carbon monoxide, snake bite, alcohol and rodenticides were involved in the poisoning. The average cost of poison management per patient was about $168, which is high given the economic status of Nigeria.
CONCLUSION
Childhood poisoning is still a significant cause of morbidity among children in Nigeria and accounts for an appreciable amount of health spending, therefore preventive strategies should be considered.
Topics: Acetaminophen; Adolescent; Age Distribution; Amitriptyline; Analgesics, Non-Narcotic; Antipsychotic Agents; Carbon Monoxide Poisoning; Child; Child, Preschool; Chlorpromazine; Ethanol; Female; Ferrous Compounds; Health Care Costs; Humans; Infant; Infant, Newborn; Kerosene; Length of Stay; Male; Nigeria; Organophosphate Poisoning; Poisoning; Prevalence; Retrospective Studies; Rodenticides; Sex Distribution; Snake Bites
PubMed: 31298824
DOI: 10.5334/aogh.2544 -
Toxicon : Official Journal of the... Jan 2024In France, mushroom picking is part of the culture. The practice is not without risk, as around 1300 people are poisoned each year by eating wild mushrooms on the French...
In France, mushroom picking is part of the culture. The practice is not without risk, as around 1300 people are poisoned each year by eating wild mushrooms on the French mainland. However, this practice is not part of local culture on Reunion Island, a French territory located in the Indian Ocean. Indeed, there are practically no reports of mushroom poisoning on Reunion Island. Here we describe, through a retrospective study, cases of mushroom poisoning recorded in the Indian Ocean toxicosurveillance system database from 2020 to 2021. Overall, 19 people were poisoned following wild mushroom ingestion on Reunion Island: 15 in 2020 and 4 in 2021. Six events were recorded: the majority of poisonings involved clusters (n = 5) during a shared meal (pan-fried), only one case was single mushroom poisoning by ingesting a raw mushroom. Of all patients, 15 cases presented a gastrointestinal irritant syndrome (latency between 30 min and 3 h). Chlorophyllum molybdites was positively identified by mycologists in 4 cases, suspected by emergency doctor in 1 case and in one self-declared case, Volvariella volvacea was consumed. Poisoning following ingestion of wild mushrooms does occur on Reunion Island, and Chlorophyllum molybdites is the main culprit.
Topics: Humans; Mushroom Poisoning; Reunion; Retrospective Studies; Agaricales
PubMed: 38072316
DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2023.107554 -
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 -
Toxins Jun 2023is a genus of about 140 plant species, some of which are well-known for causing animal poisoning resulting in significant economic losses to the Australian livestock... (Review)
Review
is a genus of about 140 plant species, some of which are well-known for causing animal poisoning resulting in significant economic losses to the Australian livestock industry. The main poisonous species/subspecies include (subsp. and subsp. ), and (generally referred to as ). These plants contain a diterpenoid orthoester toxin, called simplexin. poisoning is known to cause the death of cattle ( and ) or weaken surviving animals. species are well-adapted native plants, and their diaspores (single seeded fruits) possess variable degrees of dormancy. Hence, the diaspores do not generally germinate in the same recruitment event, which makes management difficult, necessitating the development of integrated management strategies based on infestation circumstances (e.g., size and density). For example, the integration of herbicides with physical control techniques, competitive pasture establishment and tactical grazing could be effective in some situations. However, such options have not been widely adopted at the field level to mitigate ongoing management challenges. This systematic review provides a valuable synthesis of the current knowledge on the biology, ecology, and management of poisonous species with a focus on the Australian livestock industry while identifying potential avenues for future research.
Topics: Animals; Cattle; Plants, Toxic; Australia; Livestock; Diterpenes; Plant Poisoning; Thymelaeaceae
PubMed: 37368675
DOI: 10.3390/toxins15060374 -
The Journal of Experimental Biology Feb 2021Poison frogs sequester chemical defenses from their diet of leaf litter arthropods for defense against predation. Little is known about the physiological adaptations...
Poison frogs sequester chemical defenses from their diet of leaf litter arthropods for defense against predation. Little is known about the physiological adaptations that confer this unusual bioaccumulation ability. We conducted an alkaloid-feeding experiment with the Diablito poison frog () to determine how quickly alkaloids are accumulated and how toxins modify frog physiology using quantitative proteomics. Diablito frogs rapidly accumulated the alkaloid decahydroquinoline within 4 days, and dietary alkaloid exposure altered protein abundance in the intestines, liver and skin. Many proteins that increased in abundance with decahydroquinoline accumulation are plasma glycoproteins, including the complement system and the toxin-binding protein saxiphilin. Other protein classes that change in abundance with decahydroquinoline accumulation are membrane proteins involved in small molecule transport and metabolism. Overall, this work shows that poison frogs can rapidly accumulate alkaloids, which alter carrier protein abundance, initiate an immune response, and alter small molecule transport and metabolism dynamics across tissues.
Topics: Animals; Anura; Arthropods; Poisons; Predatory Behavior; Toxins, Biological
PubMed: 33408255
DOI: 10.1242/jeb.230342 -
Health Promotion and Chronic Disease... May 2024The objective of this analysis is to describe patient demographics, the context, characteristics and outcomes of a substance-related poisoning, and the recorded mental...
INTRODUCTION
The objective of this analysis is to describe patient demographics, the context, characteristics and outcomes of a substance-related poisoning, and the recorded mental disorder of people with housing and those experiencing homelessness.
METHODS
Hospitalization data for Canada (except Quebec) from 1 April 2019 to 31 March 2020 were retrieved from the Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI) Discharge Abstract Database using ICD-10-CA codes for up to 25 diagnoses for substance-related poisonings, homelessness status and other characteristics relevant to the patient's hospitalization. We compared the characteristics of people experiencing homelessness with those of people who were housed, and their substance-related poisoning hospitalizations, using chi-square, t tests and Fisher exact test.
RESULTS
There was a higher proportion of males, younger individuals and people with recorded mental disorders among people experiencing homelessness hospitalized for a substance-related poisoning than among their housed counterparts. Substance-related poisonings among people experiencing homelessness were more likely to be accidental, involve opioids and stimulants (most frequently fentanyl and its analogues and heroin), result in lengthier hospitalizations and end with leaving the hospital against medical advice.
CONCLUSION
These findings can be used to strengthen strategies and interventions to reduce substance-related harms in priority populations, particularly those experiencing homelessness.
Topics: Humans; Ill-Housed Persons; Male; Female; Hospitalization; Adult; Middle Aged; Canada; Mental Disorders; Substance-Related Disorders; Young Adult; Adolescent; Aged; Poisoning; Age Factors; Sex Factors
PubMed: 38748478
DOI: 10.24095/hpcdp.44.5.02