The title of this newsletter gave rise to a Minieditorial on the correct expression of terms used in toxicology. Here again we appreciate the contribution simply clarifier Frederic Villamayor (Researcher/Study Manager.Biostatistics Unit/Toxicology & Safety Pharmacology Dept. CIDF Ferrer Grupo. Barcelona, Spain).See in Spanish, New paper about a model for effects of antiricin antibodies; New paper about poisoning by pesticides among in Southern Brazil; A review of poisoning by neonicotinoid insecticides; An article about a follow-up after a large methanol outbreak in Estonia; An article about the only massive episode of venous diethylene glycol poisoning in history; A case report of cardiac disorder with wild honey made from rhododendron; Issue 15 & 16 of JTEH dedicated to Illicit Drugs; About Inocybe mushrooms poisoning from Haifa; Sea slug with tetrodotoxin; An article about delayed complications of sulphur mustard poisoning; Atropine inhaler to treat organophosphates poisoning. Congratulations to World Library of Toxicology (WLT): Connecting Scientists and Experts to Improve Global Health. There are many more notices. See also toxicological trivia in English. See Newsletter in Spanish. Until next number. JCP

A mouse model for ricin poisoning and for evaluating protective effects of antiricin antibodies.Beyer NH, Kogutowska E, Hansen JJ, Engelhart Illigen KE, Heegaard NH. Clin Toxicol (T and F) 2009; 47(3): 219-25.
Abstract. BACKGROUND. Ricin is a potential bioterrorism agent and no specific antidote or treatment exists for ricin poisoning. For this reason, we developed ricin-specific antibodies that were tested in a murine model of ricin poisoning for use as antidotes against symptoms of ricin poisoning. METHODS: Mice were poisoned with a lethal dose of ricin (5 microg) and their temperature and general condition were monitored for determination of a surrogate and humane end point. Mice were then treated with injections of ricin and different combinations of polyclonal anti-ricin antibodies. Antibody effect was evaluated for various doses and using various time points from ricin to antibody injection. Also, the effect of adjuvant symptomatic treatment was examined. Brain, heart, intestines, kidney, liver, lung, pancreas, spleen, and stomach tissues were sampled for histopathological analysis. RESULTS: The mouse model was reproducible and easy to use. A clear protective effect of both anti-ricin A-chain and anti-ricin B-chain antibodies-but not of irrelevant antibodies-was demonstrated with no added effect of symptomatic treatment. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that specific polyclonal antibodies against ricin A- and B-chain may reproducibly protect mice against ricin poisoning, even when the antibodies are administered up to 1.5 h after poisoning.

Toxipedia, in partnership with the USA National Library of Medicine (NLM), the International Union of Toxicology (IUTOX), and the Institute of Neurotoxicology and Neurological Disorders (INND), is proud to announce the launch of the World Library of Toxicology, Chemical Safety, and Environmental Health, briefly referred to as the World Library of Toxicology (WLT) .This free global Web portal provides the scientific community and public with links to major government agencies, non-governmental organizations, universities, professional societies, and other groups addressing issues related to toxicology, public health, and environmental health. The World Library of Toxicology works directly with a network of country correspondents consisting of respected toxicologists and other scientists who maintain their own country-specific pages with accurate and up-to-date information. Over 45 countries from all 7 continents are represented in the WLT, with the goal of ultimately including all interested nations.Along with serving as a portal to key resources, the WLT sets the stage to connect research scientists from government and industry, academia, non-governmental organizations, the environmental advocacy community, and interested laypeople from around the world with each other. By making these diverse stakeholder groups aware of each others' activities, the World Library of Toxicology will serve as a catalyst to encourage global collaborations and minimize duplicative efforts.  Its goal is to serve as a resource to improve global public health.

Poisoning by pesticides among family fruit farmers, Bento Gonçalves, Southern Brazil. Neice Müller Xavier FariaI;José Antônio Rodrigues da RosaI; Luiz Augusto FacchiniII.Rev. Saúde Pública vol.43 no.2 São Paulo Apr. 2009 Epub Mar 06, 2009.  Full text (PDF).

Neonicotinoid insecticides: an emerging cause of acute pesticide poisoning. Phua DH, Lin CC, Wu ML, Deng JF, Yang CC. Clin Toxicol (T and F) 2009; 47(4): 336-41.
Abstract: Neonicotinoids are a relatively new class of insecticides. They exhibit agonistic effects at postsynaptic nicotinic receptors in insects and are believed to have low toxicity in humans. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective analysis of all neonicotinoid exposures reported to the Taiwan National Poison Center to better understand the toxicity profile of neonicotinoid insecticides. RESULTS: A total of 70 patients were analyzed. Most exposures involved suicidal ingestions of imidacloprid alone. Clinical manifestations of neonicotinoid insecticide toxicity bear some resemblance to those of acute nicotine poisoning. Although most exposures were of mild-to-moderate severity, eight patients developed major effects and two died. Aspiration pneumonia and respiratory failure were the main cause of severe toxicity. CONCLUSION: Significant toxicity of neonicotinoids can occur following large amount of oral ingestion. Poisoned patients may present with cholinergic syndrome, and judicious use of atropine seems justified. Symptomatic treatment, especially ventilator support, remains most important in clinical management.

Methanol poisoning and long term sequelae – a six years follow-up after a large methanol outbreak. Raido Paasma , Knut Erik Hovda  and Dag Jacobsen .BMC Clinical Pharmacology 2009, 9:5.Full text.  Abstract:Mass poisonings with methanol are rare but occur regularly both in developed and in developing countries. Data from the poisoning episodes are often published, but follow-up-data is scarce. We therefore conducted a six year follow-up study after the large methanol outbreak in Estonia in September 2001. Read full article

Clinical features, laboratory findings and imaging appearances of venous diethylene glycol poisoning in patients with liver disease. LUO Ming-yue, LIN Bing-liang, GAO Zhi-liang.Free PDF Full Text. Abstract:Background  There was a hospital outbreak of venous diethylene glycol poisoning in Guangzhou, China. It is the only massive episode of venous diethylene glycol poisoning in history. Here we report its clinical features, laboratory findings, and imaging appearances. Read full article.

Bradycardia and Severe Hypotension Caused by Wild Honey Poisoning. LAXMAN DUBEY, ARUN MASKEY, SHYAM REGMI. Hellenic J Cardiol 2009; 50: 426-428. Abstract: Wild honey is taken as an alternative medicine for the treatment of gastrointestinal diseases as well as for coronary artery disease. However, wild honey made from the nectar of some species of rhododendron may be poisonous. The cause of the poisoning is the toxin grayanotoxin. Grayanotoxin is a naturally occurring sodium channel toxin that causes life-threatening bradycardia, hypotension, and altered mental status. Complete heart blocks may occur in some patients. We present an interesting case of bradycardia and hypotension due to wild honey ingestion. The symptoms, mechanism, and management of wild honey poisoning are discussed. PDF full text.

Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health, Part A Current Issues, Volume 72 Issue 15 & 16 2009 . Production of Illicit Drugs, the Environment, and Human Health . See (Free/Open access)

Scientists at Technion report research in poisoning. newssrx. September 14, 2009. According to a study from Haifa, Israel, "Many species of the genus Inocybe (family Cortinariaceae, higher Basidiomycetes) are muscarine-containing mycorrhizal mushrooms, ubiquitous around the world. The few published reports on the poisonous Inocybe mushrooms are often limited by the inadequate identification of the species." "The clinical course of patients with typical muscarinic manifestations, in whom Inocybe spp. was unequivocally identified, is reported. series. Between November 2006 and January 2008 14 consecutive patients with typical muscarinic syndrome after mushroom ingestion were recorded. The clinical manifestations included combinations of nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, hypersalivation, diaphoresis, tachycardia, bradycardia, hypotension, lacrimation, blurred vision, miosis, tremor, restlessness, flushing, and syncope. [ Read ]

Sea slugs – one more risk. .stuff.co.nz. Setember 03, 2009. Signs with pictures of sea slugs are to go up on North Shore beaches in the wake of poisoning that has killed five dogs and made many others ill.Beaches were closed to dogs and toddlers for much of August, but the warnings were eased last Friday by the Auckland Regional Public Health Service.But North Shore City Council spoksewoman Kelly Gunn says this does not mean beaches have been given the all clear.“We are being careful not to say the warnings have been lifted.”Warning signs on beaches, notably at Narrow Neck and Cheltenham, look set to stay, but will be modified to feature pictures of sea slugs. [ See ]

Delayed head and neck complications of sulphur mustard poisoning in Iranian veterans. Zojaji R, Balali-Mood M, Mirzadeh M, Saffari A, Maleki M. J Laryngol Otol 2009; DOI: 10.1017/S0022215109990260   
Abstract
Objective: Sulphur mustard is a chemical warfare agent which was used against Iranian combatants and civilians between 1983 and 1988. The purpose of this study was to document the delayed toxic effects of sulphur mustard in Iranian veterans, focussing on head and neck complications.Patients and methods:This was a two-year, prospective, descriptive study of 43 male Iranian veterans aged 34 to 48 years (mean 41.8 years) who were moderately disabled or worse due to sulphur mustard poisoning. Investigations were performed with consent, including haematological, biochemical and immunological tests, spirometry, chest X-ray, high resolution computed tomography of the lungs, and skin biopsies. Further investigations and interventions were performed as clinically indicated. Results: The most affected sites were the lungs (95 per cent), peripheral nerves (77 per cent), skin (73 per cent), eyes (68 per cent), and head and neck (16.2 per cent). Of seven patients with mostly head and neck complications, four had a skin disorder (hyperpigmentation in all four, an erythematous, papular rash in two, and dry skin in one). Two patients had thyroid cancer (undifferentiated thyroid carcinoma in one and papillary carcinoma of a thyroglossal cyst in the other, 12 and 14 years after sulphur mustard exposure, respectively). One patient had nasopharyngeal carcinoma, 12 years after sulphur mustard exposure.Conclusion: Carcinomas of the thyroid and nasopharynx in three patients with sulphur mustard exposure are reported for the first time.

MicroDose initiates Phase 1 clinical trial investigating the pharmacokinetics of atropine inhalation. news-medical. september 24, 2009. MicroDose Technologies today announced that it has initiated a Phase I study at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center with atropine sulfate delivered from the MicroDose proprietary dry powder inhaler (DPI). The study is a further step in the development program for an atropine inhaler to treat nerve agent poisoning in military and civil defense applications. The program is being congressionally funded and managed through the Chemical Biological Medical Systems Joint Project Management Office to treat the symptoms, including bronchopulmonary, of mild to moderate organophosphorus poisoning after adequate amounts of injectable atropine have been administered. [ See ]

Laurie Kazan Allen, from the International Ban Asbestos Secretariat, sends us the new redisigned website, as follows: http://ibasecretariat.org/

[ Ir Arriba ]

How the dolphins being massacred to satisfy a food fetish are poisoning the Japanese who eat them. dailymail.co.uk. Sept.05, 2009.At the heart of a Japanese nature reserve, a horror story is unfolding. Over the coming months, thousands of dolphins - some only a few days old - will be hacked to death. Hundreds more will be sold into captivity, where they will die lingering deaths from stress and disease. The dolphins are captured and slaughtered just off the southern Japanese fishing village of Taiji. Every autumn, tens of thousands of the creatures gather there to feast on the abundant fish. And once they have eaten their fill, one of the world's greatest wildlife spectacles unfolds as the dolphins socialise and play. [ See ]

Clinical toxicology in China: current situation and future development.Li Y, Sun C, Qiu Z, Ma S, Yu X, Wang Z, Eddleston M. Clin Toxicol (T and F) 2009; 47(4): 263-9.
Abstract:Recent global estimates of deaths from poisoning suggest that more than 150,000 deaths occur each year in China from pesticide poisoning alone. One response from the Chinese government has been to set up Poison Control Centers in each province to improve management. Unfortunately, the epidemiology of poisoning in China is still unclear and there are no specialist clinical toxicologists to take the lead in dealing with the massive loss of life. The objective of this article is to survey the situation of clinical toxicology in China and give some suggestions for its development.

Malawi: Child tobacco pickers suffer nicotine poisoning. voice-online.co.uk. August 31, 2009. AN INVESTIGATION has found that children in Malawi who are forced to work as tobacco pickers are exposed to nicotine poisoning equivalent to smoking 50 cigarettes a day. Child workers, some as young as five, are suffering severe health problems from a daily skin absorption of up to 54 milligrams of dissolved nicotine, according to international children’s organisation Plan. Plan claims that an estimated 78,000 children work on tobacco estates for as little as 1p an hour for up to 12 hours a day. Forty-four children from tobacco farms in three different districts were asked by the organisation to take part in a series of workshops. They found that the children suffered from common symptoms of green tobacco sickness (GTS), or nicotine poisoning, including severe headaches, abdominal pain, muscle weakness, coughing and breathlessness. [ See ]