Journal of toxicology. Clinical toxicology
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Cardiac dysfunction including arrhythmias and myocardial ischemia have often been reported in carbon monoxide poisoning; scattered punctiform hemorrhages throughout the heart have been documented in autopsy samples. An appropriate diagnostic approach is crucial to assess carbon monoxide cardiac damage. This evaluation may be confounded by several factors, including the absence of overt symptoms and of specific ischemic changes in the electrocardiogram. ⋯ These investigations, as well as others performed in vitro, provide support for a direct action of carbon monoxide on the heart, in addition to systemic hypoxia produced by carboxyhemoglobin formation. This review focuses on the diagnostic aspects of carbon monoxide cardiotoxicity. Experimental results obtained in animals and in vitro models are also discussed.
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J. Toxicol. Clin. Toxicol. · Jan 2001
ReviewUse of anthrax vaccine in the United States: recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices.
These recommendations concern the use of aluminum hydroxide adsorbed cell-free anthrax vaccine (Anthrax Vaccine Adsorbed [AVA], BioPort Corporation, Lansing, MI) in the United States for protection against disease caused by Bacillus anthracis. In addition, information is included regarding the use of chemoprophylaxis against B. anthracis.
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J. Toxicol. Clin. Toxicol. · Jan 2001
Epidemiology of acute carbon monoxide poisoning in a Spanish region.
In Spain, as in most of the world, the incidence of acute carbon monoxide poisoning is probably underestimated. ⋯ Compared with previous Spanish series or with the antecedent year, acute carbon monoxide poisoning has a high prevalence in our region. Two factors appear to be essential to the accurate diagnosis of acute carbon monoxide poisoning: 1) the ability of emergency room physicians to recognize the clinical symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning and 2) access to a carbon monoxide-oximeter.
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J. Toxicol. Clin. Toxicol. · Jan 2001
Case ReportsCardiac damage in pediatric carbon monoxide poisoning.
Cardiovascular disorders including myocardial ischemia and heart failure have been described in both laboratory animals and humans following carbon monoxide poisoning. Carbon monoxide cardiotoxicity may be clinically occult and often remains undiagnosed because of the lack of overt symptoms and specific ischemic changes in the electrocardiogram. Routine myocardial necrosis markers have low diagnostic efficiency, particularly in patients with concomitant skeletal muscle necrosis or multiple organ failure complicating carbon monoxide poisoning. Carbon monoxide-induced cardiotoxicity has been investigated rarely in children. ⋯ This case report supports that a prolonged carbon monoxide exposure can cause cardiac damage in children even in the absence of specific symptoms, cerebral failure and high carboxyhemoglobin concentrations.
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J. Toxicol. Clin. Toxicol. · Jan 2001
Comparative StudyNeutralization of Latrodectus mactans and L. hesperus venom by redback spider (L. hasseltii) antivenom.
To test the effectiveness of L. hasseltii (redback spider) antivenom in neutralizing the lethal effects of L. hesperus and L. mactans (North American black widow) venoms. ⋯ This is the first study to derive mouse LD50 values for L. hesperus and L. mactans venom obtained by electrical stimulation of live adult spiders. Redback spider antivenom is effective in neutralizing the lethal effects of L. hesperus and L. mactans venoms in a mouse envenomation model. While this study is limited by the optimized premixing of antigen with antibody, it generates the hypothesis that redback antivenom would be effective in the treatment of latrodectism in humans caused by the two clinically relevant species of North American widow spiders.