Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 22, 2026
06:23
Preparation of DMMTAV and DMDTAV Using DMAV for Environmental Applications: Synthesis, Purification, and Confirmation
Published on: March 9, 2018
[Arsenic poisoning: a special gastroenteritis...]
F Ganster1, K Kuteifan, Y Mootien
1Département de réanimation médicale et médecine hyperbare, CHU d'Angers, 49933 Angers cedex, France.
Annales Francaises D'Anesthesie Et De Reanimation
|May 26, 2009
Summary
Acute and chronic arsenic poisoning, though rare, can be fatal. This report details two criminal poisoning deaths, highlighting symptoms mimicking gastroenteritis and rapid shock progression. Blood arsenic levels confirmed lethal intoxication.
Area of Science:
- Toxicology
- Forensic Medicine
- Environmental Health
Background:
- Arsenic intoxication is a rare but severe condition.
- Criminal poisoning cases involving arsenic are exceptionally infrequent.
- Understanding arsenic's toxic effects is crucial for diagnosis and public health.
Observation:
- Two elderly individuals died from suspected criminal arsenic poisoning.
- Clinical symptoms presented as severe gastroenteritis, rapidly progressing to refractory shock.
- Post-mortem toxicological analysis revealed extremely high blood arsenic concentrations.
Findings:
- Confirmed acute and chronic arsenic poisoning as the cause of death.
- Blood arsenic levels were significantly elevated (579 and 21,765 microg/l).
- The clinical presentation mimicked severe gastrointestinal illness.
Implications:
- Highlights the need for considering arsenic poisoning in unexplained, rapid-onset fatalities.
- Underscores the importance of forensic toxicology in criminal investigations.
- Reinforces the potential for environmental toxins to be used as poisons.
Related Concept Videos
01:14Prevention 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...
01:26Pharmaceutical Poisoning: Treatment Strategies
Treatment strategies for poisoning are a critical aspect of emergency medicine, focusing on preventing the absorption of toxins and enhancing their elimination. When a poisoning incident occurs, the first response is to halt exposure and decontaminate the patient, particularly through gastrointestinal (GI) methods if the poison was ingested.Gastrointestinal Decontamination Techniques:Activated charcoal is the cornerstone of GI decontamination. It works through adsorption, binding the toxin to...
01:26Anticholinesterase 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...
01:19Acid Mine Drainage
Mining activities that disturb sulfide-rich rocks, particularly those containing pyrite (FeS₂), initiate a cascade of geochemical and microbiological processes with serious environmental implications. When exposed to air and water, pyrite undergoes oxidation, releasing sulfate, ultimately forming sulfuric acid and mobilizing heavy metals into surrounding water systems. This phenomenon, known as acid mine drainage (AMD), results in low pH waters laden with toxic elements that threaten aquatic...
01:18Bacterial Gastroenteritis
Bacterial gastroenteritis, characterized by diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and vomiting, is often caused by ingestion of contaminated food or water and is frequently associated with pathogenic Escherichia coli strains. These microbes exploit two principal mechanisms to inflict disease.Shiga toxin–producing E. coli, also referred to as STEC—notably O157:H7—release Shiga toxins that target ribosomes, blocking protein synthesis. The B subunit of the toxin binds the host glycolipid receptor...
01:25Inhalation Anthrax
Anthrax is a zoonotic disease caused by Bacillus anthracis, a Gram-positive, spore-forming bacterium. It primarily affects herbivorous animals but can be transmitted to humans through skin contact, ingestion, or inhalation of spores.Cutaneous anthrax, the most common form, typically results from direct contact with bacterial spores through skin abrasions and is generally less severe. Gastrointestinal anthrax results from eating undercooked or contaminated meat. It affects the mouth, throat, or...