Clinical toxicology : the official journal of the American Academy of Clinical Toxicology and European Association of Poisons Centres and Clinical Toxicologists
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Clin Toxicol (Phila) · Apr 2008
Case ReportsFormic acid: a rare but deadly source of carbon monoxide poisoning.
Formic acid decomposes upon contact with strong acids producing carbon monoxide. Carbon monoxide poisoning from such a source, however, is extremely rare. ⋯ Formic acid is a highly fatal source of carbon monoxide poisoning when mixed with sulfuric acid. In addition to the toxicities of carbon monoxide, concomitant inhalation of formic acid fumes can cause severe lung injury, which may complicate the management of carbon monoxide poisoning.
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Clin Toxicol (Phila) · Apr 2008
Letter Case ReportsFatal cardiotoxicity induced by venlafaxine overdosage.
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Clin Toxicol (Phila) · Mar 2008
Case ReportsMetabolic acidosis in prometryn (triazine herbicide) self-poisoning.
Prometryn is a triazine herbicide, which is one of the most extensively used groups of herbicides. The mechanism of acute triazine herbicide toxicity in humans is not known. We report a first case of acute prometryn poisoning. ⋯ In high anion gap metabolic acidosis we should consider poisoning with prometryn and other triazine herbicides. Hemodialysis corrects metabolic derangements, but it does not lower serum prometryn concentration.
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The Asp Caterpillar, Megalopyge opercularis, is endemic to the southern United States and causes hundreds of human envenomations annually. Envenomation from the spines of the caterpillar causes severe pain, burning, swelling, nausea, abdominal distress, and headache. Despite the high prevalence of envenomations, little is known about the caterpillars, their geographical distribution, and the symptoms they engender. ⋯ This study sheds light on the caterpillars' distribution and the range of symptoms caused in order to aid in diagnosing puss moth caterpillar envenomation.
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Clin Toxicol (Phila) · Feb 2008
ReviewOpioid receptors and legal highs: Salvia divinorum and Kratom.
Salvia divinorum and Mitragyna speciosa ("Kratom"), two unscheduled dietary supplements whose active agents are opioid receptor agonists, have discrete psychoactive effects that have contributed to their increasing popularity. Salvia divinorum contains the highly selective kappa- opioid receptor agonist salvinorin A; this compound produces visual hallucinations and synesthesia. Mitragynine, the major alkaloid identified from Kratom, has been reported as a partial opioid agonist producing similar effects to morphine. ⋯ Both Kratom alkaloids are reported to activate supraspinal mu- and delta- opioid receptors, explaining their use by chronic narcotics users to ameliorate opioid withdrawal symptoms. Despite their widespread Internet availability, use of Salvia divinorum and Kratom represents an emerging trend that escapes traditional methods of toxicologic monitoring. The purpose of this article is to familiarize toxicologists and poison control specialists with these emerging psychoactive dietary supplements.