miscellaneous poisons
TRANSCRIPT
BIOTOXINS
Miscellaneous poisons
Zootoxins
A poisonous substance produced by specific types of animals that can induced harmful effects when exposed to tissues.
Poisonous animals are widely distributed throughout the animal kingdom; the only major group that seems to be exempt is the birds.
Types of Poisons
Ingested PoisonIngested Poisons are poisons that
are dangerous if consumed. The most common ingested poisons are crafted from plants or from common chemicals. Frequently, poisoning occurs accidentally when a creature unknowingly consumes a poisonous plant, or a food that has been unintentionally contaminated.
Parenteral poisons, or venoms
-Those that are produced by a specialized poison gland and administered by means of a venom apparatus.
CrinotoxinsThose that are produced by a
specialized poison gland but are merely released into the environment, usually by means of a pore.
ARACHNID POISONING
Miscellaneous poisons
Arachnids
Class: Arachnida Any arthropods comprising chiefly
terrestrial invertebrates having a segmented body divided into two regions of which the anterior bears four pairs of legs but no antennae.
E.g. Spiders, scorpions, mites and ticks
Spiders
All spiders are capable of producing venom.
Spider venoms work on one of two fundamental principles; they are either neurotoxic or necrotic.
Neurotoxic effect-Attacks the nervous system
Necrotic effect -attacking tissues surrounding the bite
and vital organs and systems.
Neutrotoxic venoms
Widow spider venom contains components known as latrotoxins, which cause the release of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine.
This can affect the body in several ways, including causing painful abdominal cramps, as well as interfering with respiration, and causing other systemic effects.
The venom of Australian funnel-web spiders and mouse spiders works by opening sodium channels, causing excessive neural activity which interferes with normal bodily function.
The venom of Brazilian wandering spiders is also a potent neurotoxin, which attacks multiple types of ion channels. In addition, the venom contains high levels of serotonin, making an envenomation by this species particularly painful.
Necrotic Venom
Spiders known to have necrotic venom are found in the family Sicariidae, a family which includes both the recluse spiders and the six-eyed sand spiders.
Spiders in this family possess a known dermonecrotic agent sphingomyelinase D.
Pathophysiology
Initial reaction: No pain from the bite Bites usually become painful and itchy within
two to eight hours. pain and other local effects worsen 12 to 36
hours after the bite, and then necrosis will develop over the next few days.
Mild symptoms include nausea, vomiting, fever, rashes, muscle and joint pain.
Severe symptoms occur including hemolysis, thrombocytopenia, and disseminated intravascular coagulation.
Venom assessment
LD-50 Give a rough approximation of the medical consequences of various spider bites to humans.
Based on experiments with laboratory mice
REPTILE POISONING
Miscellaneous poisons
Reptiles
Class: reptilia Air breathing vertebrates Characterized by completely ossified
skeleton with single occipital condyle Body is usually covered with scales or
bony plates E.g. alligators, crocodiles, lizards, snakes
and turtles.
Snake bite
The most fatal form of zoonotic poisoning
Proteins constitute 90-95% of venom's dry weight and they are responsible for almost all of its biological effects. Among hundreds, even thousands of proteins found in venom, there are toxins.
Protein and Enzymes in Snake Venoms
digestive hydrolases, L-amino acid oxidase, phospholipases, thrombin-like pro-coagulant kallikrein-like serine proteases metalloproteinases (hemorrhagins)
Damage vascular endothelium
Polypeptide toxins include cytotoxins, cardio toxins, and postsynaptic neurotoxins (such as α-bungarotoxin and α-Cobratoxin), which bind to acetylcholine receptors at neuromuscular junctions.
Inhibits angiotensin converting enzymes and potentiate bradykinin.
Phosphodiesterases
NeurotoxinThese toxins attack cholinergic neurons by destroying acetylcholinesterase (AChE). ACh therefore cannot be broken down and stays in the receptor which causes tetany, that can lead to death.
HemotoxinsThe toxin causes hemolysis, or destruction of red blood cells (erythrocytes)
Dendrotoxins inhibit neurotransmissions by blocking the exchange of + and – ions across the neuronal membrane lead to no nerve impulse. So they paralyse the nerves
Cardiotoxins are components that are specifically toxic to the heart. They bind to particular sites on the surface of muscle cells and cause depolarisation. These toxins may cause the heart to beat irregularly or stop beating, causing death.
Venomous Snakes: Mambas Vipers Rattlesnakes King cobra Members of Naja genus
Prophylaxis
Antivenoms Usually came from animals such as sheep,
goat, horse and rabbits. The immune system of the subject animal
responds to the dose, producing antibodies to the venom's active molecules.
the antibodies can then be harvested from the animal's blood and injected into bite victims to treat envenomation.
Venomous Fish
with spines live in the Indo-Pacific seas tropical areas others live in temperate waters
VENOMOUS FISH Rajiformes (stingrays and mantas) Scorpaenidae (scorpionfish, stonefish
and lionfish) Siluroidei (catfish) Squaliformes (sharks and dogfish) Trachinidae (weevers).
They live in shallow water near the shore or near reefs and lie in sand or among rocks
MOA• inject venom through their spines • it causes intense pain near the bite and affects the muscles.
Venom from dead fish is still poisonous for up to 24 hours after the fish has died.
Poisoning from eating SEAFOOD
Ciguatoxin poisoning Poisoning from shellfish Tetrodotoxin poisoning Scombrotoxin poisoning
Ciguatoxin poisoning
• tropical reef fish barracudagrouperred snapper amber jack
Poisoning from shellfish
MusselsClamsOystersCocklesScallops
Tetrodotoxin poisoning
•porcupine fish •puffer fish• sun fish
Scombrotoxin poisoning
• fresh or canned scromboid fish:tunabonitoskipjackmackerel
-sardines-pilchards
• Cigautoxin, tetrodotoxin and poisons from shellfish affect the gut and the nervous system.
• Tetrodotoxin and the poison from the shellfish paralyse muscles, including the muscles that are used in breathing.
• Scombrotoxin causes an allergic type of reaction. • Shellfish are most poisonous at times of the year
when the dinoflagellates on which they feed multiply and form “red tides”.
Signs and Symptoms
• Nausea• Vomiting• Headache• Numbness• Shallow breathing• Itching• Aching muscles• FitsRare : DEATH
What to do
If the patient is stung rescue him or her immediately from the water
Soak the wounded part of the body at once in the bowl or bath of water as hot as the patient can safely bare (about 50 C ) for not more than 30 minutes.
Clean the wound and remove any broken spines
PLANT TOXINSBY Miyoba Mulambo
Bsmls 1V-C
Plants that contain atropine Cannabis Irritant plants Oleanders Ornamental beans mushrooms
Plant toxins include:
1. Atropa belladonna -a.k.a deadly night shade or enchanter’s
shade -Most common -Shrub with Bell shaped purple or red flower -Found in Europe, north africa and west AsiaUses -prevent or treat asthma in folk medicine
Plants that contain Atropine
A.k.a thorn apple, jimson weed or angel’strumpet
Funnel shaped white or mauve herb flowers
Fruits are prickly or spiny capsules and black in colour
Unpleasant smell WorldwideUses
Datura stramonium
Leaves are infused in water to make a drink Made into cigarettes and smoked Used to cause abortion.3.Hyoscyamus niger-A.k.a henbane-herb with yellow flowers and purple markings-unpleasant smell-found in north& south America, Europe,India
and western Asia
Uses
Excite brain and affect nerves that control heart, eyes, gut and bladder
Make skin and mouth dry Cause fever Wide pupils Fast breathing and heartbeat
How they cause harm
Poisonous if eaten, even when cooked or boiled because poison is not destroyed by heat
Atropa and hyoscyamus both contain sap irritant to skin and eyes
Atropa may cause poisoning to the eye Poison may be severe in old and young
children
How poisonous they are
Mistaken for spinach and the berries of Atropa for edible fruits
Are abused for their hallucinogenic effects Signs and symptoms If swallowed Red, dry skin, wide pupils, blurred vision Dry mouth and thirst Confusion and hallucination excitement
and aggression
Special danger
Fast pulse, can’t pass urine, unconsciousness
Fever and rarely fits on skin Redness and irritation Blistering In the eyes Same effects as when swallowed
Signs and symptoms continued
Give first aid If breathing stops, give mouth –mouth
respiration, heart massage It fever is present, sponge body with cool
water Give activated charcoal, make him/her
vomit Wash eye for 15-20minswith running
water Take the patient to the hospital
What to do
A.k.a marijuana, indian hemp, hashish, ganja, pot, dope and grass
Made from the indian hemp plant cannabis saliva
Uses and abuses Often abused Makes people relax Makes colours and sounds seem brighter
and louder
Cannabis
Taken as food or injected Pipe and smoked How it causes harm Affects brain How poisonous is it ? Children get signs of poisoning but
recover Less harm to adults unless when injected
Uses and abuses continued
Effects start within 10mins of smoking the drug and last for 2-3hrs
When eaten, effects start within 30-60mins and last 2-5mins
Effects are: Feeling of well-being, happiness and
sleepness but high doses may cause fear, panic and confusion
Signs and symptoms
Fast pulse, hallucinations, drowsiness, slurred speech and coughing if the drug is breathed
If injected may cause:Dizziness, fever,low blood pressureSevere headace,fever and unconsciousness What to doSame as atropines
Effects continued
Cause skin reactions Include:1. Cashew nut tree (anacardium occidentale) - tropical countries -Nut shell contains irritant brown oily juice -Roasting shell destroys chemicals2 . Dumb-cane(dieffenbachia species -lance shaped leaves with yellow or white markings -Common household plant3. spurges(Euphoria species)
Irritant plants
Large group of plants4. poison ivy-climbing plant, may be found clinging to
trees or houses5.Rhus radicans (toxicodendron
radicans)-shrub like tree with green leaves that turn
yellow, red violet in autumn6.African poison
Irritants continued
7. Mango (mangifera indica)8.Urtica dioica-common stinging nettle How they cause harm-irritates skin and brain if swallowed-dumb-cane causes sever irritations of lips,
mouth and throat and can affect heart and muscles if swallowed.
Irritants continued
Intense allergic skin reactions depends on sensitivity of the individual
Watering, blurred vision, burning pain, Swelling of face and eye lids Fever, blisters and pain that's worse in bright
light
What to do:-wash skin with soapy water-Apply hydrocortisone cream
How they cause harm
Nerium oleander- Evergren shrub. White pink flowers with
a sweet smell- China,india, mediterranean- Garden plant- All parts poisonous, crushed leaves and
stems are irritants to skin
oleanders
Thevetia peruviana-Small ornamental tree, bright yellow
flowers-Round fruits, green when unripe and
black when ripe-Milky sap.-Central and south America, gardens in
tropics and subtropical regions
Poison affect heart in similar way to digitalis
Serious poisoning has been reported in children and adults from eating fruit..very poisonous
Special danger:-bright flowers are attractive to children-Eaten by people who want to kill
themselves
How it causes harm
Numbness or burning pain in mouth, Nausea and vomiting which maybe
severe Diarrhea, belly pain, drowsiness,possible
fits Unconsciousness, pulse maybe slow or
fast Effect of heart may result to death What to do-give magnesium sulphate with charcoal-Activated charcoal, first aid
Signs and symptoms
Abrus precatoris-climbing tree, clusters of small white pink
flowers-flat pod fruit with 2-5 shiny red with black
patch seedsSubtropics, tropics Ricinus communis-large non woody, 3m high large palm like
leaves
Ornamental beans
Round pricky fruits. Bean shaped seed Mottled pink and grey Grown as crop and also scattered in
farmlands Tropics Uses-necklace and rosaries-castor oil beans used to make castor oil
continued
Castor oil used as laxative Seeds are given to children to use in
handicraft and counting and is not recommended
How they cause harm-damage blood cells, gut and kidneysHow poisonous are they?-death, blindness, irritation and rash
uses
If swallowed: effects are delayed for 2hrs to 2 days-burning sensation, sever vomiting, belly pain-Diarrhea with blood, dehydration. Drowsiness-fits ,may pass blood stained urine in small
volumes In the eye-reddening and swelling-sometimes blindness
Signs and symptoms
On skin-Redness and rashWhat to give:Magnesium sulfate, sodium sulfate or
activated charcoal-Wash skin with soap and water-Wash eyes for 15-20mins in running water-Take the seeds out of the mouth
continued
Covers Amanita species1. A. mascaria and A.pantheria cause
hallucinations , sleep or unconsciousness2. A. Phalloides, A. Virosa, A. Verna,
cortinarius speciosissimus and lepiota species contain poisons that damage cells
3. Clitocybe and Inocybe species contain a poison that causes sweating and affects gut
Mushrooms
4. Coprinus atramentarius only causes poisoning when alcohol is taken as well
5. Psilocybe semilanceata and P. Cubensis cause hallucination without sleep
How poisonous they are:-most cause mild to moderate poisoning but
some cause severe poisoning and deathMany people have died after eating
A.phalloides
mushrooms
Identification of poisonous to non-poisonous is very difficult
Cooking may destroy the poison but many kinds like Amanita species are poisonous even after cooking
Sever effects in small children producing fits and unconsciousness
Special danger
dizziness, incordination, stagering hallucinations, deep sleep, muscle jerking
belly pain , nausea, sever vomiting,intense thirst, diarrhea lasting 2-3 days
jaundice, signs of kidney failure,laughing Palpitaions and chest pains,blurred vision Drowsiness,anxiety, red face and neck Metallic taste in the mouth,chills and
headace
Signs and symptoms
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