• 대한임상독성학회지
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• 제2권1호
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• pp.45-48
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• 2004

Paraquat, a widely used herbicide, is extremely toxic, causing multiple organ failure in human. Many treatment modality has been used, but now paraquat is very fatal drug. Elimination rate of plasma paraquat seems to be a factor for the survival rate. So early diagnosis and early treatment are very important. Plasma paraquat concentration could be measured by radioimmunoassay. But it is impossible that the test was done at Emergency room and the result was checked immediately. There was relation between plasma paraquat concentrations and urine paraquat concentration. Because of its simplicity and low cost, urine paraquat concentration test is complementary to the plasma concentration measurement. If the patient has psychotic problem or unconscious mental state, and is observed unexplained dyspnea and oral ulcer, urine paraquat test is very important to rule out acute paraquat intoxication. We experienced a patient who was presented as unexplained acute renal failure initially and was diagnosed as paraquat intoxication later.

• 대한임상독성학회지
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• 제8권2호
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• pp.79-87
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• 2010

Purpose: The previous studies on $H_1$ antihistamine overdose have generally been limited to cases of acute doxylamine succinate (DS) poisoning, yet there have been some studies on diphenhydramine (DPH) overdosing. But many clinicians consider the two drugs to be very similar and to have similar ingredients. The purpose of this study was to clarify the toxicologic characteristics and clinical outcomes between DS and DPH poisoning/overdose. Methods: We reviewed the medical and intensive care records of the patients with acute DS or DPH poisoning and who admitted to our emergency department from January 2008 and April 2010. We collected patient information regarding the features of the poisoning and the clinical and demographic characteristics. The patients were assessed for the clinical outcomes, the GCS, the PSS (Poisoning Severity Score) and the SOFA (Sequential Organ Failure Assessment). Results: Fifty seven patients (45 cases of DS poisoning and 12 cases of DPH poisoning) were enrolled. Compared with the DS group, the DPH group had higher incidences of intubation, serious mental change, QTc prolongation and ECG conduction abnormality (p=0.041, <0.001, 0.014 and 0.044, respectively). The DPH group had a higher PSS and a longer ICU stay. The peak CPK time and the CPK normalization time were longer for the patients with rhabdomyolysis due to DS poisoning. Conclusion: Two common $H_1$ antihistamines, doxylamine and diphenhydramine, are in the same ethanolamine-structural class, but the toxico-clinical outcomes are different according to many aspects. Therefore, clinicians could take a careful approach for the differential diagnosis and management between DS and DPH poisoning.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• 제17권1호
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• pp.5-24
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• 1984

There has been an immense need for elaborate studies on the complications and the neuological sequelae generated by acute carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning which is highly prevalent in Korea due to widespread adoption of the anthracite coal briquette as domestic fuel for heating and for cooking. For this epidemiological study, a total of 444 subjects who received hospital emergency care for acute CO poisoning during the period of March 1982 to February 1983 were randomly selected from the emergency patients's lists of 13 general hospitals in Seoul area. Informations on the neurological sequelae were elucidated by means of home visiting with prearranged questionnaire consisting questions and concise neurological examination. The findings obtained were summarized as follows; 1. The complications were found in 18% of the surveyed and acute decubitus was comprised 67.5% of the complications. 2. The total cumulative incidence of the neurological sequelae was 41.2 per 100 patients and the absolute incidence rate regardless of the duration after poisoning was 40.8%. 3. The incidence of the neurological sequelae was higher in the older age than in the younger and also higher in female than in male. Twice higher incidence was observed in the admitted patients than in the non-admitted patients and the incidence became higher in proportion to the duration of CO exposure, coma and admission. The poorer the consciousness level of patients found, at emergency room and at discharge, the higher the incidence. The incidence of the neurological sequelae by emergency care was higher in hyperbaric oxygen therapy group(51.9%) than in 100% $O_2$ group(38.0%) 4. A total of five variables significantly associated with the occurrence of the neurological sequelae were selected by the stepwise discriminant analysis. The variables were following course of emergency care, age, consciousness level at discharge, admission duration, and consciousness level at emergency room in their sequence of discriminant power. Eight variables were selected as those associated with the degree of the neurological sequelae through the stepwise multiple regression analysis. Of these variables, the acute decubitus alone explained 21.1% of the total variation ana all the eight variables could explain 36.5% of the same. The remaining seven variables listed in the order of their relative importance were: age, consciousness level at discharge, admission duration, coma duration and consciousness level at emergency room. 5. It was postulated that unexpectedly high incidence of the neurological sequelae of the CO poisoning in this epidemiological study was mainly due to the inadequate emergency care and the lack of efficient and sophisticated treatment measure. In the effort to minimize the incidence of grave neurological sequelae of acute CO poisoning, new guidelines for the emergency care and treatment should be pursued with efficient ways.

• 대한임상독성학회지
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• 제7권2호
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• pp.77-82
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• 2009

Purpose: In highly doses, endosulfan lowers the seizure threshold and elicits central nervous system stimulation, which can result in seizures, respiratory failure, and death. Management of seizure control is essential for survival and prognosis of intoxicated patients. This study assessed whether seizure time was an independent predictor mortality in patients with endosulfan poisoning. Methods: This retrospective study enrolled patients with endosulfan poisoning presenting to Masan Samsung Hospital and Gyeongsang National University Hospital from January 2003 to December 2008. The data were collected from clinical records and laboratory files. Using a multivariate logistic analysis, data on the total population was retrospectively analyzed for association with mortality. Results: Of the 24 patients with endosulfan poisoning, nineteen (79.1%) experienced seizure. The patients in the seizure group showed significantly lower Glasgow coma scale score, base excess, bicarbonate, and significant existence of mechanical ventilation, as compared to the non seizure group (n=5). Seizure, Glasgow coma scale score, systolic blood pressure, bicarbonate level, need for respiratory support, pulse rate, respiratory rate, pH, base excess, and seizure time were associated with mortality. The fatality rate of endosulfan poisoning was 54.1% with higher mortality among patients experiencing. Longer seizure time was associated with higher mortality. Conclusion: Seizure time can be a significant independent predictor of mortality in patients with acute endosulfan poisoning. Physicians should aggressively treat for seizure control in patients with acute endosulfan poisoning.

• 대한임상독성학회지
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• 제19권1호
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• pp.59-63
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• 2021

Copper sulfate is widely used as a fungicide and pesticide. Acute copper sulfate poisoning is rare but potentially lethal in severe cases. Copper sulfate can lead to cellular damage of red blood cells, hepatocytes, and myocytes. Toxic effects include intravascular hemolysis, acute tubular necrosis and, rhabdomyolysis. A 76-year-old man presented with vomiting and epigastric pain. He had ingested a copper-containing fungicide (about 13.5 g of copper sulfate) while attempting suicide 2 hours prior to presentation. From day 3 at the hospital, laboratory findings suggesting intravascular hemolysis were noted with increased serum creatinine level. He was treated with a chelating agent, dimercaptosuccinic acid (succimer). His anemia and acute kidney injury gradually resolved with a 19-day regimen of succimer. Our case suggests that succimer can be used for copper sulfate poisoning when other chelating agents are not available.

• 대한임상독성학회지
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• 제17권2호
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• pp.126-131
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• 2019

Purpose: Herbicide-related mortality has decreased since the complete ban of paraquat product sales in 2012, but there still have been other herbicides intoxications with relatively severe complications. Glyphosate and glufosinate herbicides are used widely, and considerable research has been conducted. Chlorophenoxy herbicide is another major herbicide that has shown poor outcomes and mortality without proper management, but research in this area is lacking. Therefore, this study compared the clinical features of chlorophenoxy herbicide with those of other herbicides. Methods: The medical records of patients exposed to herbicides at a tertiary academic university hospital in Korea from May 2014 to April 2019 were reviewed retrospectively. The demographic and clinical data of 135 patients were then analyzed to identify the recent herbicides intoxication trends after the paraquat sales ban, focusing mainly on chlorophenoxy herbicide poisoning. Results: Of the 135 patients, 13 patients (9.6%) had chlorophenoxy herbicide poisoning. No significant differences in all the variables were observed between the chlorophenoxy herbicide poisoning group and non-chlorophenoxy herbicides poisoning groups. Toxic symptoms after poisoning varied from nothing noticeable to confusion; none of the patients had severe complications after their treatments. Conclusion: Acute chlorophenoxy poisoning is relatively less severe, with lower mortality rates than glyphosate and glufosinate poisoning.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• 제46권3호
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• pp.363-371
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• 1999

연구배경: 유기인제는 국내에서 1950년대부터 농업용 살충제로 널리 사용되고 있으며, 최근 공업용 화공약품으로 사용이 증가하면서 이로 인한 중독 환자가 증가하고 있다. 아트로핀, PAM 또한 호흡부전 발생시 인공호흡기를 이용한 적극적인 치료로 사망률은 과거보다 감소하였으나, 호흡부전으로 인한 사망은 유기인제 중독의 주요한 사망 원인이다. 저자들은 유기인제 중독시 호흡부전의 발생 빈도 및 그 유발 인자를 관찰 분석하여 유기인제 중독으로 인한 사망률을 줄여 보고자 하였다. 방 법: 영남대학교 의과대학 부속병원에서 유기인제 중독증으로 진단 받은 111례를 대상으로 하였으며, 특히 호흡부전이 발생한 31례의 임상 소견 및 치료 방법, 혈중 cholinesterase 활성도 등을 조사하여 호흡부전 발생과 관계가 있는 요인들을 알아보았다. 결 과: 유기인제 중독환자 111례 중 자살 목적인 경우가 81례로 가장 많았고, 중독 정도도 가장 심하였다. 환자 중 15례에서 사망하였으며, 사망률은 14%였다. 호흡부전이 발생한 31례 중 23예가 중독 후 24시간이내, 8례는 25시간에서 96시간이내 발생하였으며, 중독 정도가 심할수록 호흡부전 발생 빈도가 높았다. 호흡부전이 발생한 31례 중 15례에서 사망하였고, 호흡부전이 발생하지 않은 경우에서는 사망한 예가 없었다. 16예의 환자에서 폐렴이 발생하였으며 이중 14례에서 호흡부전이 생겨, 폐렴이 생긴 대부분의 환자에서 호흡부전이 발생하였다. 심혈관 허탈은 5례에서 발생하였으며 이중 2례에서 호흡부전이 생겼으나 통계적으로 유의하지 않았다. 첫 24시간동안 아트로핀의 평균 요구량은 $56{\pm}65mg/dl$이고, 급성 호흡부전인 경우 아급성 호흡부전이나 호흡부전이 발생하지 않았을 때보다 아트로핀 요구량이 더 많아 중독 정도가 심할수록 아트로핀 요구량이 더 많았다. PAM으로 치료하였던 95례 중 26예와, 치료하지 않았던 16예 중 5례에서 호흡부전이 발생하여 PAM 치료 여부와 호흡부전 발생간의 유의한 차이를 보이지 않았다. 혈중 cholinesterase 활성도는 호흡부전이 발생하였을 때보다 인공호흡기 이탈시 7배정도 높았으며, 인공호흡기로 치료한 기간은 급성 호흡부전이 생겼을 때 유의하게 길었다. 결 론: 급성 유기인제 중독에 의한 호흡부전은 중독 후 첫 96시간 이내 주로 발생하며, 중독 정도와 폐렴 발생이 호흡부전 발생의 중요한 유발 인자로 생각된다. 따라서 중독 후 첫 96시간 동안 세심한 관찰이 필요하고 적극적인 아트로핀 투여와 기도 확보 및 흡인성 폐렴 방지로 호흡부전 발생 빈도를 줄일 수 있을 것으로 생각된다.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• 제61권1호
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• pp.15-23
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• 2023

Concerns about foodborne illnesses caused by Kudoa septempunctata are steadily growing, but reports of K. septempunctata in clinical and food specimens related to food poisoning in Korea are limited. This study aimed to genetically identify K. septempunctata in patients with acute diarrhea and in clinical and food samples related to food poisoning caused by sashimi consumption. Both real-time and nested polymerase chain reaction assays were performed to detect K. septempunctata 18S and 28S rDNA genes in the stools of 348 patients with acute diarrhea, 11 samples (6 stool and 5 rectal swab samples) from patients with food poisoning, and 2 raw Paralichthys olivaceus samples collected from a restaurant where a food poisoning incident occurred. K. septempunctata was identified in 5 clinical specimens (4 stools and 1 rectal swab) and 1 P. olivaceus sashimi sample. All detected K. septempunctata were of genotype ST3. This is the first study to identify K. septempunctata in both patients and food samples with epidemiological relevance in Korea, providing evidence that it is a pathogen that causes food poisoning. Also, this is the first study to confirm the presence of K. septempunctata genes in rectal swabs. Despite continuing suspected occurrences of Kudoa foodborne outbreaks, the rate of identification of K. septempunctata is very low. One reason for this is the limitation in obtaining stool and vomit samples for the diagnosis of Kudoa infection. We strongly suggest the inclusion of rectal swabs among the diagnostic specimens for Kudoa food poisoning.

• 대한임상독성학회지
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• 제21권2호
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• pp.108-116
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• 2023

Purpose: This study investigated the differences between patients with acute carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning who visited the emergency department (ED) before and during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Methods: This was a single-center retrospective observational study. Patients with CO poisoning who visited the ED during the period from February 2020 to January 2023 were classified as the COVID-19 pandemic group, and those from February 2019 to January 2020 were classified as the non-pandemic group. Patients' medical records were reviewed, their demographic and clinical characteristics were compared, and the length of stay in ED was checked. The time from admission to the ED to the start of hyperbaric oxygenation (HBO) was defined as the door-to-HBO time, and this parameter was compared between both groups. Results: In total, 672 patients were included in this study. The proportion of intentional poisoning was significantly higher in the COVID-19 pandemic group than in the non-pandemic group (p=0.028). The proportion of intentional poisoning significantly increased in the 20- to 29-year-old age group during the COVID-19 pandemic (p<0.001). In addition, it took longer to initiate HBO in the COVID-19 pandemic group than in the non-pandemic group (p=0.001). Conclusion: These findings suggest that pandemics of infectious diseases, such as COVID-19, increase the proportion of intentional CO poisoning, and it may take longer to initiate HBO after visiting the ED. Efforts will be needed to decrease intentional CO poisoning and length of stay in ED.

• 대한임상독성학회지
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• 제12권2호
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• pp.39-45
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• 2014

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to review the evidence comparing the efficacy and safety between L-carnitine and extracorporeal elimination therapy in the management of acute valproic acid L-carnitine vs Extracorporeal Elimination for Acute Valproic acid Intoxication Methods: PubMed, Embase, Cochrane library, Web of Science, KoreaMed, KMbase, and KISS were searched, using the terms carnitine and valproic acid. All studies, regardless of design, reporting efficacy or safety endpoints were included. Reference citations from identified publications were reviewed. Both English and Korean languages were included. Two authors extracted primary data elements including poisoning severity, presenting features, clinical management, and outcomes. Results: Thirty two articles including 33 cases were identified. Poisoning severity was classified as 3 mild, 11 moderate, and 19 severe cases. Nine cases were treated with L-carnitine while 24 cases received extracorporeal therapy without L-carnitine. All patients except one expired patient treated with hemodialysis recovered clinically and no adverse effects were noted. A case report comparing two patients who ingested the same amount of valproic acid showed increased ICU stay (3 vs 11 days) in case of delayed extracorporeal therapy. Conclusion: Published evidence comparing L-carnitine with extracorporeal therapy is limited. Based on the available evidence, it is reasonable to consider L-carnitine for patients with acute valproic acid overdose. In case of severe poisoning, extracorporeal therapy would also be considered in the early phase of treatment.