Veterinary and human toxicology
-
This ethylene glycol poisoning case had a blood pH of 6.58 and severe hypothermia (30.9 C). The patient received supportive care with dialysis and ethanol therapy. ⋯ A similar case survived ethylene glycol poisoning neurologicaly intact with an initial pH of 6.46. Although severe acidosis in the presence of serious illness is usually associated with a poor prognosis, our case emphasized the importance of aggressive supportive care and antidotal therapy for ethylene glycol poisoning even when there is a low pH.
-
The normal cholinesterase activity in brain tissue was measured in 15 mammalian and 44 avian species using the Ellman method. Enzyme activity exhibited considerable interspecies variability. In mammals, the enzyme activities ranged from approximately 2 to 10 micromole/min/g of wet tissue. ⋯ Enzyme activities in avian species ranged from approximately 10 to 30 micromole/min/g. Comparisons for uniformity of enzyme activity between closely related avian species were poor in most instances. The considerable variability of the brain cholinesterase activities in avian and mammalian species illustrates the need for reliable normal values for individual species to improve ability to monitor environmental exposure or to confirm acute poisonings associated with organophosphate or carbamate insecticides.
-
Methylene blue is utilized as the main treatment of methemoglobinemia conventionally, but it may be ineffective in individuals with glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency. We report a G6PD-deficient patient who suffered from aniline-induced methemoglobinemia with initial good response Heinz body but hemolytic anemia appeared later 3 d after methylene blue therapy. ⋯ He recovered uneventfully with hydration, packed blood transfusion and adjuvant luvela-N(dl-alpha-tocopheryl nicotinate) medication. Caution should be taken in using methylene blue as antidote of acute methemoglobinemia, especially when a history of G6PD deficiency is obscure.
-
Tricyclic antidepressants are a common cause of self poisoning. Since these drugs are highly lipid soluble, we examined the interaction between imipramine and a lipid emulsion. ⋯ The rats who received the lipid emulsion had a significantly lower mortality. The role of lipid emulsions poisoning therapy is reviewed.