Frequency and pattern of poisoning in adult and adolescent Kraków population in 2003 and 1983.

The pattern (frequency, type of exposure, toxic substance) of adolescent and adult poisonings in Kraków in 2003 is compared with 1983. The analysis includes data for poisoned patients treated at the Kraków Department of Clinical Toxicology and all on the spot fatal cases subjected to post-mortem autopsy and toxicological examinations at the Department of Forensic Medicine Jagiellonian University Medical College in both the years. As much as 4341 poisoning cases (2852 males; 1489 females) were treated in 2003 compared with 2132 (1078 males; 1054 females) in 1983. In 1983 in group of 154 poisoned persons who died at the place of accident there were 138 (89.6%) men and 16 (10.4%) women. In 2003 among 121 deaths at the scene there were 93 (76.9%) males and 28 (23.1%) females. Poisonings due to suicidal attempts decreased significantly from 53.6% in 1983 to 19% in 2003. Incidence of poisoning per 10 000 of general Kraków population increased from 36.17 in 1983 to 57 in 2003 or up to 65.7 if the population of adults and teenagers (above 15 years old) was only considered. Pharmaceuticals (40.6%) followed in frequency by ethanol (25%) and ethanol co-ingested with pharmaceuticals (12.2%) and carbon monoxide (10.6%) were the most common reasons for poisoning in 1983. In 2003 the most common cause of poisonings was ethanol (46.2%) followed by pharmaceuticals alone (25%) or co-ingested with ethanol (6.4%) and carbon monoxide (6.2%). An ingestion of mixed pharmaceuticals (55.1%) followed In frequency by non-barbiturate hypnotics and psychotropic drugs (26.3%) were a most common in 1983 whereas a non-barbiturate hypnotics and psychotropic drugs (34.4%) followed by mixed pharmaceuticals (32.9%) in 2003. A mortality both concerning only the people who died in hospital and also those who died on the spot (prior to any treatment) was significantly higher in 1983 compared with 2003.

[The role of poison information center in the health service structures]. / Miejsce Osrodka informacji Toksykologicznej w strukturach sluzby zdrowia.

Poison information centres (PIC) provide telephone advice on the treatment of poisonings to the lay public and medical professionals. The number of inquiries increases every year. Poison Information Centre of Collegium Medicum of Jagiellonian University in Krakow provided 1611 items of advice in 1999 and 2263--five years later--in 2004. Each incoming call is recorded and documented by standardized protocol. Another aspect of PIC activity of is prevention and education. Inquiries protocols' analysis shows the most frequent reasons and circumstances of poisonings. Thus, it is possible to conduct appropriate prophylactic campaigns. The above aspects of activity of PIC do not bring direct financial benefit. There is one index which shows that PIC saves the money. There were 335 cases in 2004 (above 50% consulted lay public) when unnecessary hospital admissions were prevent. It should be noted that the others were refer to proper specialist. This aspect of PIC's activity significantly decreases the costs which should be paid in any medical intervention.

Toxic exposure of children in 2004--telephone service of toxicology.

509 toxicological telephone inquiries concerning children under 15 years have been provided by Kraków Poison Information Centre (PIC) in the year 2004. Medication drugs were involved in almost one half (n=208) the cases noted. 63.7% of calls concerned children under 4 years with a two-year-old group predominance. The main reason for poisoning in children under 4 were pharmaceuticals (42.6%), followed by pesticides (9.8%), corrosives (8.8%), hydrocarbons (8.1%), plants (5.5%) and detergents (3.7%); all exposure were accidental. Suicide attempts reached 32.3% in the 12-14 age group. In that group also a cases of psychoactive substances overdosing were noted. Most exposures in children reported to poison centre were accidental (87.2%). Thus, it is absolutely necessary to intensify prevention and education activity both for parents and primary school children to avoid the poisoning.

[Dangerous aquaria]. / Niebezpieczne akwaria.

World trends for a home breeding of exotic freshwater and marine fishes did not miss Poland. There are almost all species of aquarium fishes available in Polish pet shops, but there is not enough information about threat given to customers. In some fish, there are masses of one-cell glands, mainly serous, in the proximity of the spines. In others, those one-cell glands may be grouped in larger aggregates of cells called venom glands, that may form organs resembling multicellular glands of terrestrial animals. They are usually located around the spines or hard rays of the fins. Even if covered with a connective tissue sheath, the aggregates of the venom cells do not have any common outlet; they are not, therefore, proper multicellular glands. The venom glands of the catfish are covered with a thin sheath and they release their contents when the fin ray is pressed. Spines are derived from fin rays. When the spine penetrates the body of its prey, it presses its base against the cells, squashes them and squeezes the venomous contents into the wound. Catfish, lionfish and stonefish have the venom glands producing secretion which could be dangerous. The eels and morays blood is also dangerous, as well as slime of reduced squamae. Poison information centers noted several cases of fishes' stings in Poland.

[Poisonous animals registration in Poland]. / Rejestracja zwierzat jadowitych w Polsce.

The Act on Nature Conservation of 16.04.2004 (Official Journal, 2004, No 92, item 880) imposes on private individuals the duty to register some animals. The data collected by Kraków municipal authorities and delivered to the Poison Information Centre (Colleglum Medicum, Jagiellonian University) indicate that there are following species in private hands in the city and its surroundings: 11 individuals of Naja naja, 2--Hydrodynates gigas and 55-- Dendrobates spp. According to these information the employees of the PIC elaborated the advice on the treatment of specific animals' poisoning. In the period May 2003 - May 2004 (before the above Act came into force) there were 143 individuals from Brachypelma genus and 3 scorpions (Pandinus imperator) registered in Krakow. These species produce venoms which take local effect. According to art. 64 (1) of the above Act it is compulsory to register amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals. However, it would be desirable to introduce the duty to register also dangerous species of invertebrates and fishes. It would provide the complete list of poisonous animals kept in private hands. Thus, it would be possible to estimate any possible threats and to elaborate adequate treatment in case of specific animals' poisoning.

[Proper use of own data bases warranted by call recording system]. / System rejestracji rozmów warunkiem wlasciwego wykorzystania wlasnych baz danych.

A newly created computer system for call (toxicological information) recording and a Base of Toxic Substances created in native Polish language are presented in the paper. An extended structure of this data base enable to catalogue different groups of toxic substances (e.g. medication drugs, psychoactive substances, pesticides), and toxins (animals' poisons, toxic plants and mushrooms) concerning their specificity. Construction of the Base also enable to reach necessary information quickly. What more, identification of toxic substances could be easier due to possibility enclosing photos.