• Proceedings of the Korean Environmental Health Society Conference
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• 2004.06a
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• pp.12-20
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• 2004

• 한국약용작물학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2007.11a
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• pp.288.2-288.2
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• 2007

• Journal of The Korean Society of Clinical Toxicology
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.66-69
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• 2016

Some carnivorous gastropods have heat stable tetramine toxins in their salivary glands. This toxin is an autonomic ganglionic blocking agent that enables them to catch the prey easily by paralyzing their targets. Acute tetramine toxin poisoning in humans from eating whelks has been well described based on numerous cases, but is rare in Korea. Symptoms of tetramine poisoning include eyeball pain, blurred vision, headache, dizziness, muscular twitching, tingling of hands and feet, weakness, paralysis and sometimes collapse. Gastrointestinal symptoms, such as abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting can also occur. However, intoxication is self-limiting and patients will usually recover in about 24 hours. Herein, we report 2 cases of tetramine poisoning after ingestion of Buccinum striatissinum as meat and soup.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.15 no.2 s.28
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• pp.132-142
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• 1994

Paraquat has been widely used as a herbicide in Korea since 1970. Human ingestion results in transient impairment of liver and kidney function and a characteristically respiratory failure with a high mortality rate. Clinical investigation and Oriental Medical Treatment were done on 3 cases of paraquat poisoning admitted to the department of 1st Internal Medicine. Kyung San University Oriental Medical Hospital from August 1991 to December 1992. and following results were obtained. The symptoms of paraquat poisoning can be regarded as Sim hua chi song(心火熾盛), Kan hua sang yom(肝火上炎). um hu hua wang(陰虛火旺), Kan tam sup yol(肝膽濕熱), Yang myong yol tok(陽明熱毒) in Oriental Medicine. and the principle of treatment for paraquat poisoning can be applicable to Chong yol Ii sop(淸熱利濕), Chong yol hae tok(淸熱解毒). Sa ha hae tok(瀉下解毒). Ja um kang hua(滋陰降火) and so on. Three cases were treated by HuangYonHaeTokTang(黃蓮解毒湯) and KamDuTang(甘豆湯): all of them have survived without complications. According to the result above, it suggests that determination of treatment based on the differentiation of symptoms and signs(Pyon jung si chi ;辨證施治) of Oriental Medicine may prove to be helpful in saving lives of patients with paraquat poisoning.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Clinical Toxicology
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.122-128
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• 2016

Purpose: This study was conducted to describe the characteristics of patients with carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning. Methods: We retrospectively surveyed data from the Emergency Department based Injury In-depth Surveillance of 20 hospitals (2011-2014). We included patients whose mechanism of injury was acute CO poisoning caused by inhalation of gases from charcoal or briquettes. We surveyed the annual frequency, gender, age, result of emergency treatment, rate of intensive care unit (ICU) admission, result of admission, association with alcohol, and place of accident. We also surveyed the cause and experience of past suicide attempts by intentional poisoning. Results: A total of 3,405 patients were included (2,015 (59.2%) and 1,390 (40.8%) males and females, respectively) with a mean age of $39.83{\pm}18.51$ year old. The results revealed that the annual frequency of CO poisoning had increased and the frequency of unintentional CO poisoning was higher than that of intentional CO poisoning in January, February and December. The mean age of intentional CO poisoning was younger than that of unintentional CO poisoning ($38.41{\pm}13.03$ vs $40.95{\pm}21.83$) (p<0.001). The rates of discharge against medical advice (DAMA), ICU care and alcohol association for intentional CO poisoning were higher than for unintentional CO poisoning (36.4% vs 14.0%, 17.8% vs 4.7%, 45.2% vs 5.6%) (p<0.001). The most common place of CO poisoning was in one's residence. Conclusion: The annual frequency of total CO poisoning has increased, and unintentional CO poisoning showed seasonal variation. DAMA, ICU care, and alcohol association of intentional CO poisoning were higher than those of unintentional CO poisoning.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.259-265
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• 2001

Mercury vapor inhalation-induced acute respiratory failure(ARF) has been reported to be fatal. This study was designed to observe the possible mechanism of inhaled mercury vapor poisoning in the respiratory system. Sixty percent of rats(12/20) exposed to mercury vapor were dead within 72 hours of exposure whereas all the rats(20/20) exposed to mercury vapor combined with dithiothreitol(DTT) vapor survived. The histological observation showed that ARF was a direct cause of the death induced by mercury vapor inhalation, which was significantly circumvented by DTT vapor. Cyclic AMP mediated chloride secretion was inhibited by luminal side but not serosal side sulfhydryl blocking agents (Hf$^{2+}$ $\rho$-chloromercuribenzoic acid or $\rho$-chloromercuriphenyl sulfonic acid) in a dose-dependent manner in a primary cultured rat airway monolayer. The inhibitory component of cAMP induced chloride secretion was completely restored by luminal side DTT(0.5mM). these results suggest that the oxidized form(Hg$^{2+}$) of mercury vapor(Hg0) contribute to ARF and subsequent death. The finding is important as it can provide important information regarding emergency manipulation of ARF patients suffering from by mercury vapor poisoning.ing.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.336-342
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• 2019

Introduction: An unexpected death was reported in a beginner immediately after starting the work at a plating factory. After the incident, air sampling was performed using a simulation of the situation as it had been at the time. Methods: To evaluate the airborne concentration of hydrogen cyanide, a total of six samples were collected: one personal sample, three area samples, and two background samples (office and outdoors). Hydrogen cyanide measurement was performed according to the standard sampling protocol recommended by the U.S. NIOSH (National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health). Results: The highest concentration of hydrogen cyanide was 0.938 ppm measured in a sample collected from the plating bath area with local exhaust ventilation. This value was approximately 20% of the ceiling occupational exposure limit. The personal sample showed a concentration of 0.135 ppm. Samples collected near the bath in which the incident occurred and a dehydrator showed hydrogen cyanide concentrations of 0.236 ppm and 0.101 ppm, respectively. Hydrogen cyanide was not detected in the background samples (office and outdoors). Conclusions: It is necessary to use proper ventilation systems and respirators in plating factories to prevent acute poisoning. Furthermore, it is important to educate and train new workers dealing with toxic substances.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Clinical Toxicology
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.75-81
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• 2022

Purpose: This study sought to compare the characteristics of patients with pathogen-positive and negative cultures, and to investigate factors predicting pathogen-positive culture results in patients of acute poisoning with suspected aspiration. Methods: Consecutive patients with acute poisoning admitted to an intensive care unit between January 2016 and December 2018 were retrospectively studied. Respiratory specimens were collected from the enrolled patients at the time of the suspected aspiration. We compared the characteristics of patients with pathogen-positive and negative culture results and analyzed the causative pathogens. Results: Among the 526 patients, 325 showed no clinical features that could be attributed to aspiration, and 201 patients had clinical features suggestive of aspiration. Of these, 113 patients had pathogen-positive culture, 61 were negative, and the specimens of 27 patients contained poor-quality sputum. In univariate analysis, patients with a positive culture showed a longer time to culture from ingestion (p=0.01), faster heart rate (p=0.01), and higher partial pressure of arterial oxygen to the fraction of inspired oxygen (PaO₂/FiO₂) (p=0.02) than patients with negative culture. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that PaO₂/FiO₂ (adjusted odd ratio, 1.005; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.002-1.008; p=0.005) was a significant risk factor for pathogen-positive culture. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of PaO₂/FiO₂ was 0.591 (95% CI, 0.510-0.669, p=0.05). Gram-negative pathogens (GNPs) were predominant and at least one GNP was observed in 84 (73.3%) patients among those with pathogen positive culture. Conclusion: We failed to find any clinical factors associated with positive culture results. Antibiotics that cover GNPs could be considered when deciding the initial antibiotic regimen at the time of suspected aspiration.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Clinical Toxicology
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.27-32
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• 2005

Purpose: The frequency of carbon monoxide poisoning has been decreased in the interior of the Korea. But occasionally it is occurred and the risk of exposure is high in working place so far. Because of the characteristics of gas, the detection of exposure and poisoning could be delayed and fatality is high. We should apprehend of carbon monoxide poisoning. So we would report analysis of patients with carbon monoxide poisoning. Methods: A retrospective review of CO poisoned patients visited emergency department from January 2000 to December 2004 was conducted. Results: 24 patients were enrolled. Their average of age was $37.6\pm20.9$ years old and COHb was $19.4\pm13.32\%$. The blood level of initial COHb and mental status on arrival were not correlated each other. The blood level of initial COHb and loss of consciousness were not correlated, too. Initial electrocardiography (EKG) was not correlated with cardiac enzymes such as CK-MB and troponin I. But base excess was correlated with mental status on arrival and complication such as rhabdomyolysis. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy was correlated with base excess and mental status on arrival. Conclusion: The clinical features of carbon monoxide poisoning are nonspecific. For proper diagnosis, it is important that we should consider patient's environment and take patient's history carefully. The blood level of initial COHb does not reflect severity of poisoning accurately. So We should determine the treatment of choice depending on patient's status.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Clinical Toxicology
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.46-53
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• 2014

Purpose: We conducted this study in order to determine clinical features and prognostic factors in adults with acute tetrodotoxin (TTX) poisoning caused by ingestion of puffer fish. Methods: In this retrospective study, 107 patients were diagnosed with TTX poisoning. The subjects were divided into two groups according to duration of treatment; Group I, patients were discharged within 48 hours (n=76, 71.0%), Group II patients were discharged after more than 48 hours (n=31, 29.0%). Group II was subsequently divided into two subgroups [IIa (n=12, 11.2%), IIb (n=19, 17.8%)] according to the need for mechanical ventilation support. Results: In multivariable logistic regression analysis, the predictors of the need for treatment over 48 hours were dizziness (odds ratio [OR], 4.72; 95% confidence intervals [CI], 1.59-12.83), time interval between onset of symptom and ingestion (OR, 0.56; 95% CI, 0.16-0.97), $PaCO_2$<35 mmHg (OR, 8.37; 95% CI, 2.37-23.59). In addition, predictors of the need for mechanical ventilation were a time interval between onset of symptoms and ingestion (OR, 0.54; 95% CI, 0.11-0.96) and $PaCO_2$<35 mmHg (OR, 5.65; 95% CI, 1.96-18.66). Conclusion: Overall, dizziness, time interval between onset of symptoms and ingestion, ${\Delta}DBP$ and $PaCO_2$<35 mmHg predict the need for treatment over 48 hours, time interval between onset of symptoms and ingestion and $PaCO_2$<35 mmHg predict the need for mechanical ventilation support after acute TTX poisoning.