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Prussian Blue Quiz

Quizes based on Goldfrank’s Toxicologic Emergencies 11e and other sources when cited in answer explanation.

1. Radiogardase is an insoluble form of Prussian Blue. It has which of the following chemical structures? (note: underscore indicate subscript)

 
 
 
 

2. Prussian blue preferentially binds monovalent cations including: cesium, thallium, potassium, and rubidium. Which of the following statements is correct?

 
 
 
 

3. The mechanism of Radiogardase is?

 
 
 
 

4. You have a patient with a proven acute Thallium ingestion. He was poisoned by his significant other. The ingestion was confirmed by police who accompanied the victim to the ED. They presented a laboratory reagent bottle which was labeled as Thallium sulfate. The exposure has occurred over an unknown amount of time. The patient reports extreme fatigue and some paresthesias, but he has normal vital signs and a normal exam. Although whole blood and urine Thallium levels will take days to come back and Prussian Blue will need to be shipped overnight. What is an immediate treatment you can consider?

 
 
 
 

5. A 57-year-old male is being treated for criminal Thallium poisoning with Prussian Blue. What electrolyte should be closely monitored and repleted as necessary?

 
 
 
 
 

6. Which of the follow is an expected side effect of treatment with Prussian Blue?

 
 
 
 

7. A patient has been treated with Prussian Blue for 35 days. They are no longer symptomatic. What is a reasonable objective endpoint for treatment?

 
 
 
 

8. A 50-year-old female patient presents to the ED with chest compressions ongoing. She was reported to be in ventricular tachycardia which did not respond to 2 rounds of defibrillation and administration of lidocaine. Vital signs at the first pulse check are: P150 BP60/40 RR16 intubated O2sat-not registering, temperature not available. Daughter who is at bedside says she has been taking a Cesium-containing, non-prescription, anti-cancer agent. What is the best next course of action?

 
 
 
 
 

9. What of the following xenobiotics is most efficacious in binding radioactive Cesium?

 
 
 
 

10. A woman and her 1-week-old breast feeding infant have been exposed to radioactive Cesium as a result of fallout from nearby nuclear melt down. Both the child and and the mother have been treated with Iodine and Prussian Blue. What should the mother do regarding feeding of the child?

 
 
 
 

11. What is the appropriate dose of Radiogardase?

 
 
 
 


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Theoretical Mechanism for Vaping Associated Lung Injury

Recently, there has been a significant amount of news media coverage on Vaping Associated Lung Injury (VALI) lately. We certainly are starting to see more cases. However, it is unclear if something has changed with the formulation of vaping liquids or if this disease has existed as long as vaping, but diagnosis availability limited the number of diagnoses made. Regardless, medical professionals and the media have taken a huge interest in VALI.

Typical features include: recent heavy vape use, cough, respiratory symptoms, hypoxia at rest or on exertion, GI upset, tachycardia, fever, leukocytosis, patches of bilateral ground glass opacities on chest CT. Often times patients will be diagnosed with a viral syndrome or community acquired pneumonia and be discharged from ED only to bounce back a few days later with more serious symptoms. It is also possible many diagnoses of VALI are mistakenly diagnosed as multifocal pneumonia with sepsis. The technical diagnostic criteria for VALI are a patient with respiratory symptoms, a history of vaping, ground glass opacities on CT, a negative infectious workup, and no other likely etiology for their presentation.

There have been numerous articles that show that vapor clouds contain significant amount of free radicals. Presumably this is due to direct exposure to thermal electromagnetic radiation on the heating coil. Many formulations now use tocopheryll acetate, which is then converted in vivo into tocopherol, or Vitamin E. Tocopherol is a free radical scavenger and is involved biochemical redox pathways that eventually deplete glutathione (see figure below). Some data show the higher level “mod” vaporizers produce as much free radicals as conventional cigarettes. However, the frequency and quantity of use amongst users, especially if perceived to be safe, may increased when compared to smokers of tobacco cigarettes.

Furthermore, given the clinical findings of lipid laden macrophages and their red stain with “oil red o” on bronchial alveolar lavage (BAL), it is also conceivable a mechanism of action is the deposition of diluents, leading to a multifocal lipoid pneumonia. Others have also suggested that nanometal particles from the heating coil may be inhaled, leading to lung injury.

Finally, steroids have been the mainstay of treatment. Normoxia should be maintained, but hyperoxia avoided to prevent the accumulation of free radicals. Typically antibiotics are given until infection is ruled out. Thus, if a contributory mechanism of injury is chronic depletion of glutathione, an treatment could be IV NAC in combination with aerosolized NAC (Mucomyst). NAC is well tolerated and unlikely to cause harm if administered correctly. However, a prospective trial that assesses the role of NAC for this indication needs to be performed.

Biochemical pathways for antioxidants in the lung demonstrating theoretical role for NAC in treatment of vaping associated lung injury (VALI). Please note the diluents of the vaping liquid are depositing on the air-lipid surface.

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Toxic Plants and Animals Flashcard Set

Flashcards aid in memory repetition of difficult to memorize plants that may show up on boards and in-service exam. This list will grow as I distill my readings and notes into only the highest yield memorization points.

note: all images used are public domain, unless otherwise cited within the flashcard

2nd note: you can zoom in on all images for a better picture, resolution is preserved

Latrodectus spp.

Latrodectus spp.: describe their general characteristics, habitats, pathophysiology, symptoms, and treatment modalities.

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  • *Lactrodectus mactans and geometricus are the black widow and brown widow, respectively.
  • *Widows are found all over the United States (except Alaska), but seem to be more predominant in the south. The are also found abundantly across the globe in non-arctic regions.
  • *Envenomation from the bite infiltrates a variety of insect/crustacean specific toxins and alpha-latrotoxin, which is a pore forming toxin at the presynaptic terminal. Ca2+ influxes as a result, leading to an exocytosis of neurotransmitters (eg, NE, dopamine, seratonin, GABA, glutamine, etc).
  • *Pain can be local, regional, or systemic. Systemic manifestations involved generalized myalgia, headache, diaphoresis, and abnormal vital signs. Myopathy can also occur, which may progress to rhabdomyolysis and acute renal failure.
  • *Indications for antivenom include high risk populations with severe symptoms, such as pregnant patients.
  • *Treatment should predominantly involve benzodiazepines and opioid analgesics for moderate to severe symptoms. Minor symptoms can be treated with NSAIDs and cold packs.
  • ***Bonus: females practice sexual cannibalism and eat the males after copulation.

L. Geometricus

Mfield, Matthew Field, http://www.photography.mattfield.com [GFDL 1.2 (http://www.gnu.org/licenses/old-licenses/fdl-1.2.html)]

L. Mactans

Shenrich91 [CC BY-SA 3.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)]

Latrodectus spp.
Centuroides spp

Describe important clinical features of Centuroides Exilicauda and Sculpuratus and (common name, features, pathophysiology, and treatment).

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  • Common name: bark scorpion
  • Distributed in the Southwest US and Mexico
  • Fluoresces with a black light
  • Neurotoxin 1-4 cause membrane depolarization of neurons; the venom also contains hyaluronidase, phospholipase, and acetylcholinesterase
  • Grading scale for envenomation
    • 1: Paresthesias at bite site, positive “tap” test
    • 2: Paresthesias at sites remote from the bite
    • 3: Cranial nerve symptoms OR peripheral neuromuscular junction (NMJ) dysfunction (eg shaking).
    • 4: Both cranial nerve symptoms AND peripheral NMJ symptoms
  • Patients with 3 or 4 should get antivenom, as should high risk patients such as pregnant patients to prevent preterm labor

Charles & Clint [CC BY 2.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)]

Centuroides spp
Loxosceles

What are Loxosceles spp. Common name? Distribution? Venom mechanism?Clinical effects? Severe toxicity? Treatment?

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  • Brown recluse
  • Loxosceles venom is a heterogenous medely of proteins including: sphingomyelinases, phospholipases, astacin-like metalloproteases, and the inhibitor cystine knot (ICK) peptides, serine proteases, serpins, hyaluronidases.
  • Typically Loxoscelism is limited to local tissue necrosis, often patients will mistake an abscess for a bite of this spider.
  • Mild systemic signs include: fever, flu-like symptoms, nausea/vomiting, disseminated rash
  • Severe toxicity: intravascular hemolysis, hemoglubinuria or hematuria, DIC, hypotension, pulmonary edema
  • Supportive care, wound care, steroids are controversial.

PMID:31248109

Loxosceles
Gyrometra spp

 

  • Arłukowicz-grabowska, et al PMID=31014949
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  • Gyrometra Esculenta is a false morel.
  • Contains hydrazine which depletes vitamin B6, a cofactor which is necessary for GABA synthesis by GAD. This can result in seizure.
  • Treat with pyridoxine, similar to INH.
  • Phenobarbital would be preferential because Benzodiazepines require the some endogenous GABA.
Gyrometra spp
Aconitum spp
  • Image above:
  • Common names? Toxin? Mechanism? Symptoms?
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  • Monkshood, Friar’s cap, Wolfbane
  • Aconitine: an alkaloid
  • Sodium channel opener
  • GI upset -> parasthesias -> confusion -> hypotension / ventricular arrhythmia
  • Tx=supportive, lidocaine for dysrhythmia
Aconitum spp
Heracleum spp
  • Image above:
  • Common name? Toxin? Effects? Treatment?
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  • Cow Parsnip, notable Heracleum Maximum in North America
  • Furanocumarins: Angelicin (upper) and Psoralen (lower); note there are other isomers not shown
  • Phototoxic vesicicular rash that form after exposed to sunlight. They intercalate with DNA leading to decreased robustness of DNA damage repair from UV sunlight.
  • Treatment: supportive, wound care.
Heracleum spp
Lophophora williamsii
  • Image above:
  • Common name? Main active xenobiotic? Effects? Toxicity?
  • .
  • https://www.pinterest.com.mx/pin/383368987016954066/
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  • Peyote contains mescaline, a phenethylamine. Effects include sympathomimesis, hallucinations and is an etheogen used in some religious ceremonies in North America.
  • Can cause severe nausea, vomiting, drug induced psychosis, however there have not been any deaths associated with consumption of the plant.
  • Lophophora williamsii
    Cicuta spp
    • The plant above:
    • Common name? Mechanism? Demographic of victims?

     

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    Cicuta sp., particularly Cicuta Maculata, commonly known as water hemlock contain cicutoxin which directly antagonizes GABA-A receptors, resulting status epilepticus as soon as 15 min after ingestion.

    Usually victims are adult foragers who mistake the plant for wild carrots or ginseng.

    If soon enough after ingestion, can consider lavage. Benzos for seizures.

     

    Cicuta spp
    Nicotine agonist containing plants

    What are some plants with nicotine agonism paired with the presumed active xenobiotic?

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    • Nicotiana sp. = nicotine
    • Cystisus scoparius = sparteine
    • Caulophylum thalictroides = methylcystisine
    • Cystisus Laburnum = cystisine
    • Conium maculatum = gamma-coniceine and its plant metabolite coniine
    Nicotine agonist containing plants
    Conium spp
    • The above plant:
    • Common name? Effect of toxin? Primary cause of death? Treatment? Historical significance?
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    • Poison Hemlock
    • Nicotinic agonist: Coniine
    • Respiratory muscle paralysis, seizure
    • Tx= Atropine, mechanical ventilation
    • Socrates ingested this at the order of the state for his subversive ideas
    Conium spp
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