High-mobility group box 1 protein levels in serum of subjects after exposure to fire smoke--short communication.

INTRODUCTION: Fire smoke inhalation a recognized etiologic factor of airway injuries. The objective of this study was evaluation of serum high-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) protein concentration in subjects exposed to fire smoke (SEFS). MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study group consisted of 40 consecutive patients admitted to the Toxicology Unit, Lodz, Poland after exposure to fire smoke. Serum HMGB1 concentrations were measured upon admission to hospital and rechecked on the 2nd and on the day of discharge. Patients also underwent routine toxicological diagnostic procedures applied in case of those exposures, such as carboxyhaemoglobin (COHb) levels and urinary thiocyanate concentrations. The same diagnostic tests were performed in 10 healthy volunteers not exposed to smoke of the control group. RESULTS: The average serum SEFS concentration of HMGB1 protein was not significantly higher on admission in comparison with the respective values recorded on the 2nd day and on the day of discharge. The mean serum level of HMGB1 protein of exposed group was higher than that one in the control group, however the difference was not statistically significant. The highest concentration of HMGB1 protein was noted in serum of 28 subjects exposed to fire smoke reporting at least one symptom and the difference was statistically significant in a comparison with the control group. CONCLUSION: As indicated, an acute exposure to smoke may lead to transient increase of HMGB1 in serum in exposed subjects. Further studies are necessary in order to confirm the importance of this protein in pathogenesis of acute airway injury due to exposure to fire smoke.

[Suicidal intoxication with digoxin--still actual problem in clinical toxicology--case report]. / Samobójcze zatrucie digoksyna--nadal aktualny problem toksykologii klinicznej --opis przypadku.

We present case a male patient who attempted suicide by ingestion of 90 tablets of digoxin in total dose of 22.5 mg. A measured peak level of digoxin was 6,75 ng/ml. Temporary invasive cardiac pacing with single chamber ventricular pacer was performed for treatment of the life-threatening rhythm and conduction disturbances that revealed within few hours after admission. According to the authors, presented method of therapy should always be taken into consideration in case development of cardiovascular disturbances in acute poisoning with digoxin.

Occupational allergy to birds within the population of Polish bird keepers employed in zoo gardens.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the risk factors for the development of occupational allergy to birds among Polish zoo garden keepers. METHODS: A total of 200 bird zookeepers employed in the Polish zoo gardens in KLódz, Warsaw, Gdansk, Chorzów and Plock and exposed occupationally to bird allergens were examined using a questionnaire, skin prick tests (SPTs) to common allergens and bird allergens, spirometry and cytograms of nasal swab. The level of total IgE in serum and serum-specific IgE to parrot, canary, pigeon feathers and serum were also evaluated. RESULTS: Eight percent of bird zookeepers were sensitized to at least one of the bird allergens. The most frequent allergens yielding positive SPT results were D. farinae - 32 cases (16%), D. pteronyssinus - 30 cases (15%) and grass pollens (16.5%). In the studied group, allergen-specific IgE against bird allergens occurred with the following frequency: 87 (43.5%) against canary feathers and/or serum, 80 (40%) against parrot feathers and/or serum and 82 (41%) against pigeon feathers and/or serum. Occupational allergy was diagnosed in 39 (26.5%) cases, occupational rhinitis was present in 22 (15%) cases, occupational asthma in 20 (13.6%) subjects, occupational conjunctivitis in 18 (12.2%) cases, whereas occupational skin diseases in 11 (7.5%) cases. More eosinophils were found in nose swab cytograms among bird zookeepers with occupational airway allergy. CONCLUSIONS: The findings indicate that occupational allergy to birds is an important health problem among zoo bird keepers in Poland.

Epidemiology of acute poisonings during 2003-2007 in Toxicology Unit, Department of Occupational Medicine and Toxicology, Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine, Lódz, Poland.

OBJECTIVES: The epidemiology of acute poisonings, observed in Toxicology Unit in Lódz, is the main objective of the study. The authors present frequency of respective kinds of poisoning cases and associated mortality. They discuss also the structure of poisonings with regard to type and causative agents over a period between 2003 and 2007. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The data used for the analysis were obtained from National Poison Information Center in Lódz. They were divided into two groups. The first one comprised information about patients treated at the Toxicology Unit (TU), whereas the other one included cases treated in other hospitals and only consulted by TU staff. RESULTS: Analysis of the data shows that overdosage of medications was the most frequent cause of hospitalization during 2006-2007. It constituted also the leading cause of deaths due to poisoning during 2003-2005. However, it was superseded during the subsequent period of 2006-2007 by intoxication with alcohols which was associated with the highest number of deaths in the latter period. Situation changed dynamically also with regard to the intention of poisoning. Suicidal poisonings constituted the largest group in 2003, whereas poisonings caused by abuse, including dependence-related abuse, were the most frequent in subsequent years. Patients between 15 and 30 years old formed the largest group among the total number of poisonings. CONCLUSIONS: The results of our study on epidemiology of acute poisoning in Lódz between 2003-2007 show that poisoning is a frequent cause of admission to hospital and constitutes a major health problem in Lódz district because of large number of hospital admissions, associated mortality and the high proportion of patients at young age.

Poisonings with street drugs:a review of 1993-2008 data from the toxicology unit in Poland.

OBJECTIVE: Drugs of abuse have been known in many cultures and geographical zones, and also in Poland the extent of substance abuse has been increasing. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This report refers to patients treated for poisonings with street drugs at the Toxicology Unit (TU), Lódz, Poland during the period 1993-2008. The data to be analyzed was obtained from medical files of all patients treated for street drugs or hallucinogens abuse. RESULTS: The kind of the drugs used has changed significantly; between 1993 and 1998 the majority of patients were opiate users, in 1999-2002 the dominant drug was amphetamine and in 2003-2008 there was recurrent increase in the number of opiate poisonings. Male patients were represented in the studied group more often than female ones. The percentages of patients treated after suicidal attempts ranged from 9.3% in 1993-1994 to 15.9% in 2007-2008. During the analyzed period 1993-2008, cases of overdose were less frequent, while accidental intoxications became more common. CONCLUSIONS: Drug abuse is a serious problem in Poland, it has expanded in recent years and it is likely to expand further in the years to come. The treatment of drug-addicted people needs to be improved and a suitable prevention program should be developed.

Work-related respiratory symptoms in bird zoo keepers--questionnaire data.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the risk factors for the development of airway diseases from occupational exposure to birds' allergens among Polish zoo garden keepers caring for birds. METHODS: Two hundred workers responded to the questionnaire including the history of work-related symptoms, job characteristics, description of occupational exposure, information on smoking habit, contact with birds and animals at home and family history of allergic diseases. RESULTS: General work-related symptoms were reported by 58 subjects (29%), whereas work-related respiratory symptoms were found in 40 workers (20%). The multivariate logistic regression analysis confirmed the significant role of positive family history of atopy and occupational contact with parrots either in the development of work-related symptoms or work-related respiratory allergic symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: The findings may confirm that work-related respiratory symptoms are an important health problem among zoo bird keepers in Poland.