Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 13, 2026
08:51
Utilizing the Ethylene-releasing Compound, 2-Chloroethylphosphonic Acid, as a Tool to Study Ethylene Response in Bacteria
Published on: November 10, 2016
8.4K
Lactate gap as a tool in identifying ethylene glycol poisoning
A S Sagar1, Carlos A Jimenez2, Brandy J Mckelvy1
1Department of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas, USA.
BMJ Case Reports
|March 12, 2018
Summary
Ethylene glycol poisoning causes anion gap metabolic acidosis. A
Area of Science:
- Toxicology
- Internal Medicine
- Emergency Medicine
Background:
- Ethylene glycol toxicity is a significant cause of anion gap metabolic acidosis.
- Diagnosis often relies on clinical suspicion and laboratory tests like osmolar gap, but ethylene glycol levels are not immediately available.
- Rapid recognition and treatment are critical for patient outcomes.
Observation:
- A case study highlights the diagnostic utility of the 'lactate gap' in identifying ethylene glycol poisoning.
- The lactate gap, a difference between measured and calculated lactate, can serve as an early indicator.
Findings:
- The 'lactate gap' can be a valuable clue in diagnosing ethylene glycol toxicity when direct ethylene glycol levels are pending.
- This finding aids in prompt clinical decision-making.
Implications:
- Recognizing the 'lactate gap' can expedite the diagnosis and treatment of ethylene glycol poisoning.
- This approach may improve patient management in resource-limited settings or when reference lab results are delayed.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:14Prevention of Further Absorption of Poison
1.3K
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...
1.3K
01:26Enhanced Elimination of Poison
926
Poison can be effectively removed from the gastrointestinal (GI) tract through various decontamination procedures.
Antidotes serve a crucial role in counteracting the effects of poison by inhibiting enzymes responsible for producing harmful drug metabolites. In some cases, these toxic metabolites can be neutralized by endogenous cosubstrates, which are maintained at specific concentrations to prevent interaction with cellular macromolecules and subsequent cell death.
Renal excretion is the...
Antidotes serve a crucial role in counteracting the effects of poison by inhibiting enzymes responsible for producing harmful drug metabolites. In some cases, these toxic metabolites can be neutralized by endogenous cosubstrates, which are maintained at specific concentrations to prevent interaction with cellular macromolecules and subsequent cell death.
Renal excretion is the...
926
01:37Gap Junctions
57.3K
Multicellular organisms employ a variety of ways for cells to communicate with each other. Gap junctions are specialized proteins that form pores between neighboring cells in animals, connecting the cytoplasm between the two, and allowing for the exchange of molecules and ions. They are found in a wide range of invertebrate and vertebrate species, mediate numerous functions including cell differentiation and development, and are associated with numerous human diseases, including cardiac and...
57.3K
01:27Gap Junctions
9.8K
The cytoplasm of adjacent animal cells can exchange small molecules, ions, and secondary messengers via the communication channels which form the gap junctions. These junctions comprise a few hundred to thousands of molecular channels, each made of two halves, called the connexon hemichannel. A connexon is a hexamer of six transmembrane connexin proteins, which assemble radially, thus forming a pore or channel in the center. One connexon hemichannel docks with a corresponding connexon on the...
9.8K
01:26Anticholinesterase Agents: Poisoning and Treatment
1.7K
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...
Irreversible agents form a strong bond with the cholinesterase enzyme, making it inactive. The breakdown of the phosphorylated enzyme is...
1.7K
01:26Pharmaceutical Poisoning: Potential Scenarios
1
Pharmaceutical poisoning can occur through various channels, impacting an estimated 2 million hospitalized patients in the U.S. annually with serious adverse drug responses. These scenarios encompass both therapeutic uses, such as drug toxicity, where even standard dosages can lead to severe central nervous system depression, and non-therapeutic exposures, including accidental ingestion by children, and environmental and occupational exposures.Unintentional poisonings often involve exploratory...
1