Cobalt release from glazed earthenware: Observations in a case of lead poisoning.

In a case of lead poisoning caused by a Greek jug, high levels of whole blood cobalt were also recorded. Cobalt was probably released from the underglaze dye by juice stored in the jug. The element was rapidly eliminated from the circulation and no signs of cardiotoxicity were observed in the patient. This case illustrates a possibly novel route of alimentary cobalt exposure.

A nationwide study of Vipera berus bites during one year-epidemiology and morbidity of 231 cases.

OBJECTIVES: To describe clinical course, influence of treatment, and epidemiology of Vipera berus envenomation in a defined population, and to compare the results with those of a similar, nationwide study in 1975. Design. Retrospective case review study. SETTING AND SUBJECTS: Case records regarding all patients treated in Swedish hospitals during 1995 for bites by the common European adder, V. berus, were studied. A severity grading was applied. Possible dropout was fewer than 10 patients. RESULTS: A total of 231 inpatients were treated for V. berus bites in Sweden in 1995. Children less than 10 years old were overrepresented and there was a slight predominance for males. Maximum severity of envenomation was none in 11%, minor in 47%, moderate in 29%, and severe in 13% of the cases. A few patients with initially minor or moderate symptoms eventually met the criteria of severe envenomation. Less commonly reported features were pulmonary edema, generalized plasma leakage, seizures, deep venous thrombosis, compartment syndrome, numbness and paraesthesia, and myocardial infarction. Treatment included antivenom in 42 patients [ovine Fab in 30 and equine F(ab')2 in 12 cases]. Systemic symptoms resolved during or shortly after the antivenom infusion. Extensive edema involving the trunk occurred in 5% of the cases in 1995, whereas 14% of the patients had extensive swelling in 1975. CONCLUSIONS: Incidence and other epidemiological data were similar to those 20 years ago, whereas the clinical course was more benign. It seems reasonable to believe that this is due to the introduction of effective antivenoms.

Lead poisoning from souvenir earthenware.

A case of massive lead poisoning from juice contained in a Greek earthenware jug as well as six satellite cases of high lead exposure of similar origin is reported. The intoxicated patient was successfully treated with dimercaptosuccinic acid. Ceramic producers should adhere to the longstanding European legislation.

Cytotoxic fungi--an overview.

Among fungal toxins causing organ damage in the human body, amatoxins and orellanine remain exceptional. Amatoxins, a group of bicyclic octapeptides occurring in some Amanita, Galerina and Lepiota species, induce deficient protein synthesis resulting in cell death, but might also exert toxicity through inducing apoptosis. Target organs are intestinal mucosa, liver and kidneys. Poisoning will result in dehydration and electrolyte derangement, liver necrosis and possibly kidney damage. In established poisoning the mainstay of treatment is optimum symptomatic and supportive care. No specific treatment is available, but some pharmaceuticals, like silibinin, benzylpenicillin and acetylcysteine, might have a role in limiting the extent of hepatic damage. Orellanine is a nephrotoxic bipyridine N-oxide found in some Cortinarius species. Its mechanism of action is not fully understood, but it has been shown to inhibit protein synthesis and to generate free oxygen radicals. As early symptoms often are lacking or vague, poisoning may initially be overlooked or misinterpreted and the patients usually present with established renal damage. Supportive care is the only therapeutic option. Tricholoma equestre might contain a myotoxin and repeated ingestion may cause significant rhabdomyolysis. Ingestion of Amanita smithiana and A. proxima has been reported to result in kidney damage. Gyromitrin, a toxic compound that is converted to hydrazines in the stomach, occurs in some Gyromitra species. It is mainly neurotoxic, but may also induce moderate hepatic damage and haemolysis.