[Intoxications specific to the Aquitaine region]
1UHSI, pôle médico-judiciaire, hôpital Pellegrin, place Amélie-Raba-Léon, 33076 Bordeaux cedex, France. regis.bedry@chu-bordeaux.fr
Summary
Aquitaine, France, experiences unique intoxications from pine processionary caterpillars, venomous marine life, and endemic mushrooms like Tricholoma auratum, which can cause severe rhabdomyolysis.
Area of Science:
- Environmental toxicology
- Regional pathology
Context:
- Aquitaine region's unique environment and traditional activities contribute to specific intoxications.
- Identifies three primary intoxication types prevalent in the area.
Purpose:
- To highlight and describe intoxications specific to the Aquitaine region.
- To inform about environmental and dietary risks in the area.
Summary:
- Pine processionary caterpillar (Thaumetopoea pityocampa) envenomations cause skin and ocular issues.
- Venomous marine fauna, including jellyfish and weeverfish, present localized risks along the coast.
- Endemic mushroom Tricholoma auratum, previously considered edible, has caused severe rhabdomyolysis, with three fatalities confirmed by animal studies.
Impact:
- Raises awareness of regional toxicological hazards in Aquitaine.
- Informs public health strategies and clinical management of these specific intoxications.
Related Concept Videos
Prevention of Further Absorption of Poison
In cases of acute poisoning, the primary objective is to prevent further absorption of the toxic substance into the body. Immediate interventions using various decontamination techniques targeting the gastrointestinal (GI) tract can achieve this. Decontamination is crucial to prevent poison from entering the systemic circulation, which involves washing affected areas with water and mild soap and removing contaminated clothing. Once external decontamination is done, attention must be turned to...
Physical Properties of Amines
Amines with low molecular weight are usually gaseous at room temperature, while those with high molecular weight are liquid or solids in nature. Usually, low molecular weight amines have a rotten fish-like smell. Diamines typically have a pungent smell. For instance, cadaverine and putrescine, depicted in Figure 1, are two molecules responsible for decaying tissue.
Anticholinesterase Agents: Poisoning and Treatment
Anticholinesterases, also known as cholinesterase inhibitors, work by blocking the breakdown of acetylcholine, leading to its accumulation in the synaptic cleft. This accumulation indirectly enhances both muscarinic and nicotinic actions. These agents are classified as reversible or irreversible based on their mechanism of action.
Irreversible agents form a strong bond with the cholinesterase enzyme, making it inactive. The breakdown of the phosphorylated enzyme is slower than the...
Irreversible agents form a strong bond with the cholinesterase enzyme, making it inactive. The breakdown of the phosphorylated enzyme is slower than the...
Toxidromes: Clinical Features
Toxidromes are specific patterns of symptoms resulting from toxic substance exposure. They help in the identification and treatment of poisoning. The symptoms of each toxidrome group indicate poisoning by a certain class of chemicals or drugs.1. Sympathomimetic: Stimulates the sympathetic nervous system. Symptoms include agitation, increased heart rate (HR), blood pressure (BP), respiratory rate (RR), temperature, and pupil size. Drugs like cocaine and amphetamines, along with tremors and...
Antidotes
Antidotes are medicinal substances used to counteract the harmful effects of toxins or drugs in the body. They function in various ways, each uniquely designed to combat specific toxic compounds.
Specific antidotes operate by inhibiting the enzymes that control biochemical pathways, reducing the production of harmful metabolites.
An example of an antidote is atropine, which counteracts the detrimental effects of cholinesterase inhibitors. It achieves this by deactivating muscarinic receptors,...
Specific antidotes operate by inhibiting the enzymes that control biochemical pathways, reducing the production of harmful metabolites.
An example of an antidote is atropine, which counteracts the detrimental effects of cholinesterase inhibitors. It achieves this by deactivating muscarinic receptors,...
Drug toxicity: Idiosyncratic Reactions
Idiosyncratic drug reactions represent abnormal chemical responses that vary significantly among individuals, ranging from extreme sensitivity to low doses to insensitivity to high doses. These reactions often occur due to the drug's covalent binding with serum proteins, forming a foreign hapten that triggers an immunotoxicological response. The variability in drug reactions has a strong pharmacogenetic foundation, with genetic differences crucial in how individuals metabolize drugs. For...


