Suicide by sodium tetraoxoselenate(VI) poisoning

Selenium is one of the most toxic elements necessary for the life of mammals. Only a narrow range separates therapeutic (connected with a protective effect) and toxic doses. Selenium incorporated into animal or human tissues in larger amounts can exceed normal human levels and may be toxic (only elemental selenium and selenium sulphide are poorly absorbed). Acute poisonings with selenium or its compounds, especially fatal ones, occur extremely rarely in humans. Levels of selenium in four fatal cases are reviewed, and the levels in a fatal poisoning with sodium tetraoxoselenate(VI) are evaluated. Postmortem tissue selenium contents in the latter case were the following: brain, 1.45 and 1.60 microg/g; stomach, 6.12 and 6.37 microg/g; small intestine, 4.37 and 4.13 microg/g; large intestine, 4.53 and 4.43 microg/g; liver, 4.20 and 4.35 microg/g; kidney, 3.35 and 3.60 microg/g; lung, 1.80 and 1.60 microg/g; blood, 1.43 and 1.41 microg/ml measured by the use of ETA-AAS and fluorimetric methods, respectively.     

Chemical and toxicological studies in mushroom poisoning

Two accessory diagnostic tables reflecting the relationship between toxic effect of mushrooms and the nature and chemical structure of toxin have been developed for improving the diagnosis of mushroom poisoning. New color tests have been developed and conditions for isolation and chromatography in a thin adsorbent layer determined. The Schiff's test is specific for Amanita phalloides. This mushroom's toxins can be detected in the viscera after the maximal survival of 50 h, other mushrooms' toxins after 26-30 h.     

Experimental studies on death by fire in automobiles and exhaust gas poisoning

Studies were made on the acid-base balance, blood gases, and carbon monoxide (CO), cyanide, and sulfur dioxide concentrations in the blood of albino rabbits that died from automobile exhaust gas poisoning (group I) or fires in cars (complete combustion, group II; incomplete combustion, group III). In group I, the temperature and CO concentration increased gradually to 35 degrees C and 5.2% in 70 min. The animals died after 9 min, when the values were 20 degrees C and 5.2%, respectively. In group II the animals died after 9 min, when the values were 55 degrees C and 1.95%, respectively. In group III, the temperature was very high (870 degrees C), but the CO concentration was not (0.6-1.3%) after 4 min. The animals died after 5 min. In all experimental groups, marked acidosis and hypoxemia were seen, but the CO2 tension (PCO2) was high, in contrast to previous studies on pure CO poisoning. In group I, the level of carboxyhemoglobin (CO-Hb) was significantly higher (91.2 +/- 3.4% in arterial blood, 87.5 +/- 8.1% in venous blood; p less than 0.01) than in groups II and III. Although the O2 tensions of venous and arterial blood (PvO2, PaO2) were very low, that of arterial blood was higher, suggesting that O2 was still being utilized in the tissues at the time of death. In group II, CO-Hb was high (57.7 +/- 16.0% in arterial blood, 61.2 +/- 20.6% in venous blood) and the acid-base balance indicated marked acidosis. In group III, the CO-Hb, PCO2 and cyanide levels in the blood were very high.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Deaths caused by carbon monoxide poisoning in an open environment (outdoors)

Three deaths as a result of inhalation of carbon monoxide from the exhaust fumes of automobiles are reported. All deaths occurred outside and not in a structure. The individuals were white males, ages 24 to 26 years. Blood carboxyhemoglobin concentrations ranged from 58 (in a decomposing body) to 81%. The three cases illustrate the fact that even in the outdoors death from carbon monoxide inhalation can occur if an individual is in close proximity to a rich source of carbon monoxide.     

Methyl alcohol poisoning in Trabzon (Turkey)

The aim of this retrospective study was to examine methyl alcohol intoxications in Trabzon (Turkey) and to determine any relations between the laboratory results and histopathologic changes. A total of 4492 forensic autopsies were performed from 1998 to 2008. Thirteen of the cases (0.3%) were because of methanol poisoning, and all were men. Their ages ranged from 25 to 62 years. The blood methanol concentrations ranged widely, from 15 to 482 mg/dL. In six cases, poisoning was because of consumption of the alcoholic beverage "Raki," while in five cases, poisoning was because of the ingestion of cologne. The products consumed were unknown in the other two cases because of insufficient history and data records. Mortality because of methanol poisoning may be prevented/decreased with the implementation of some precautions, such as public education regarding the harms of methyl alcohol, routine monitoring of the vendors that sell alcoholic beverages and cologne, and appropriate legal retribution for the illegal production of methanol.     

Opiate poisoning (an analysis of section material)

Section specimens from subjects dead from narcotic poisoning in 1998-1999 are analyzed. The results indicate that narcotic poisonings were primarily due to opiates or their combinations with other drugs (primarily ethanol). The ratio of male to female mortality was 3:1. Death after narcotic poisoning occurs at home in the majority of cases. The concentration of morphine/heroin in the blood and urine of victims varied within a very wide range. Acute renal failure, myoglobulinuremic nephrosis, and compression syndrome are not typical of acute narcotic poisoning. Use of immunotest for urinary morphine-heroin deserves further investigation.     

Colchicine poisoning by accidental ingestion of meadow saffron (Colchicum autumnale): pathological and medicolegal aspects

Although intoxications with colchicine, the alkaloid of Colchicum autumnale (meadow saffron), are well known, in most cases the intoxications are evoked by oral or parenteral preparations traditionally used as medication against gout. The accidental ingestion of Colchicum autumnale, on the other hand, is a rare event and has to our knowledge only twice been described in detail. We report a further case in which two persons confused this highly poisonous plant with wild garlic (Allium ursinum), a popular spice in the Central European cuisine. While one person merely complained about a 3-day episode of nausea, vomiting and watery diarrhea, the second person died of multi-organ system derangements 48 h after the ingestion of the colchicum leaves. At autopsy hemorrhagic lung oedema, hypocellular bonemarrow, centrilobular fatty necrosis of the liver and necrosis of the proximal convoluted tubuli of the kidneys were observed. A colchicine concentration of 7.5 micrograms/ml was found in the bile whereas no substance was detected in the postmortem blood.     

铊（TI）投毒案检验

目的　通过 11例中毒者分析研究铊中毒的症状 ,达到了解和认识铊中毒的目的。方法　收集 11例铊中毒的相关资料 ,分析铊中毒的特征。结果　铊中毒的共同特征是出现症状的时候都有四肢疼痛或麻木 ,同时伴有严重脱发。结论　铊中毒依个体的年龄、性别、状态及中毒量不同 ,其发病前具有一定潜伏期。但性别、年龄与死亡的时间关系目前尚不清     

Distribution of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) and 3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA) stereoisomers in a fatal poisoning

This communication presents the quantitation and differential distribution of the enantiomers of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) and its physiologically active metabolite 3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA) in a fatal poisoning following insufflation of MDMA, cocaine and heroin. Animal studies have demonstrated the stereoselective pharmacokinetics and neurotoxicity of these compounds; however, enantiomeric distributions have not been reported in humans. Quantitation of MDMA and MDA enantiomer was by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) following chiral derivatization with N-trifluoroacetyl-l-triproyl chloride (LTPC). The decedents' blood concentration of S(+)-MDMA was slightly less than that of R(−)-MDMA (1.3 vs. 1.6 mg/l, respectively), while the S(+)- and R(−)-MDA blood concentrations were identical (0.8 mg/l). Both primary routes of excretion, bile and urine, had greater concentrations of R(−)-MDMA than the S(+) isomer. These fluids also contained twice the concentration of S(+)-MDA than the R(−)-isomer. These data indicate that S(+)-MDMA is metabolized and eliminated faster than R(−)-MDMA. The results appear to support the findings in animals regarding stereoselective metabolism of MDMA.     

Evidence of Haldol (haloperidol) long-term intoxication

A case of intoxication by haloperidol is reported. Haloperidol is a butyrophenone derivative commonly used in many hospital units as an antipsychotic agent. Adverse reactions due to haloperidol intoxication include drowsiness, blurred vision, extrapyramidal effects, tardive dyskinesia, tachycardia, hypotension and muscular rigidity. In August 2008, a 49 year-old female nurse started feeling various symptoms such as muscular rigidity, drowsiness and buccal dyskinesia. After 3 months, she was hospitalized for the worsening of these symptoms. Four months later, she showed once more the same symptoms. Two open water bottles from which the nurse used to drink in the hospital were confiscated and analyzed. Moreover, the nurse was asked to give a sample of her hair for executing the inherent toxicological analyses. Haloperidol was found in both bottles 1 and 2 at a concentration of 31.5 μg/mL and 43.6 μg/mL, respectively. Based on segmental hair analysis, it was deduced that the nurse consumed haloperidol in the approximate period from August 2008 to March 2009. The higher levels of haloperidol in hair were found in accordance with the periods of most severe appearance of symptoms, requiring the hospitalization of the nurse. The analysis of preservatives and excipients led us to conclude that the pharmaceutical drug was probably added to the water bottles as "Haldol 2mg/mL oral solution".     

铊中毒的法医毒理学研究进展

由于铊盐溶液无色无味,且毒性剧烈,所以近年来利用铊盐投毒的案例时有报道。利用铊盐投毒隐匿性强,给案件的侦破带来很大难度,同时也因诊断不及时而耽误治疗。本文结合文献,从中毒方式、毒代动力学、毒理作用、中毒症状、中毒致死量、尸体检查所见、法医学鉴定及鉴别诊断等方面,对铊中毒的法医毒理学研究进展进行综述。     

Colchicine poisoning resulting from accidental ingestion of meadow saffron (Colchicum autumnale)

A rare case of colchicine poisoning resulting from accidental ingestion of meadow saffron (Colchicun Autumnale) is reported. The plant can frequently be found in the woods of the Northern Hemisphere (1), also in Japan. A 48-year-old male was admitted to hospital complaining of vomiting, nausea and diarrhea following ingestion of the plant and died in four days. The most striking histological findings were metaphasic mitotic figures in the mucosa of the large intestine and the liver. Colchicine was detected in the bile with high-performance liquid chromatography/sonicspray ionization mass spectrometry (HPLC/SSI-MS).