Diagnosis of zinc phosphide poisoning in chickens using a new analytical approach.
TL;DR: Whether the sudden death described in these chickens was caused by the ingestion of zinc phosphide was determined by developing a sensitive and highly specific gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) methodology for analysis of the gastrointestinal samples submitted to the laboratory.
Abstract: Approximately 200 chickens were found dead after the flooring of a slat-and-litter house was breached. No clinical signs of illness were observed in the surviving birds. During necropsy, rolled oats were found in the chickens' crops and gizzards, and the contents had a petroleum-like odor. Histopathologic examination revealed severe pulmonary edema and congestion of the chickens' lungs, hearts, livers, and kidneys. Based on the history and necropsy findings, zinc phosphide exposure was suspected. Diagnosis of zinc phosphide poisoning has previously been based on history of exposure, identification of the bait material in the gastrointestinal tract, and chemical detection of phosphine gas. However, currently available diagnostic methods are nonconfirmatory, and may produce false positive results. The objective of this case report was to determine whether the sudden death described in these chickens was caused by the ingestion of zinc phosphide, by developing a sensitive and highly specific gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) methodology for analysis of the gastrointestinal samples submitted to the laboratory. It was also found that the determination of zinc concentrations in liver or kidney tissue or stomach contents is not a reliable indicator of zinc phosphide poisoning.
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TL;DR: The present communication reviews the various aspects of toxicity associated with metal phosphides and recommends circumspect handling of these chemicals to avoid poisoning episodes.
153 citations
Cites background or methods from "Diagnosis of zinc phosphide poisoni..."
...pulmonary edema and congestion of heart, liver and kidney in cases of zinc phosphide poisoning [53]....
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...[53] developed a sensitive and highly specific Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry (GC–MS) method for analysis of gastrointestinal samples in animal studies on chickens....
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TL;DR: This demonstrates the first documented cases of anatoxin-a poisoning in dogs in North America and the importance of LC-MS/ MS/MS in identifying neurotoxins responsible for sudden death in cases of suspected blue-green algae toxicosis; especially those cases showing no gross or histological lesions.
Abstract: Anatoxin-a, a toxin produced by several genera of blue-green algae, is considered a potent neurotoxin. Ingestion of water contaminated with the toxin results in acute neurological signs and often death. This report describes fatal cases of anatoxin-a ingestion in 6 dogs, with confirmation of anatoxin-a exposure by liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS/MS). In 1 outbreak, 3 dogs developed seizures and died within an hour after swimming in a river in California, while the other outbreak involved 3 dogs that died within 1 hour after swimming in a pond in Ontario. Anatoxin-a poisoning is rarely reported in dogs as a cause of acute neurological signs and death. However, increased occurrences of blue-green algae blooms in North America make this neurotoxin an important consideration in the diagnosis of sudden death associated with environmental water exposure. This brief communication reports on the isolation and detection of anatoxin-a from environmental water sources and the stomach content...
94 citations
TL;DR: This work reports three mortality events involving nontarget rodenticide poisoning in several species, including wild turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo), a raccoon, and an American badger, including the first documentation of chlorophacinone intoxication inWild turkeys and anAmerican badger in the literature.
Abstract: The perception of prairie dogs (Cynomys spp.) both as a nuisance species and a keystone species presents a significant challenge to land, livestock, and wildlife managers. Anticoagulant and nonanticoagulant rodenticides are commonly employed to control prairie dog populations throughout their range. Chlorophacinone, and to a lesser extent zinc phosphide, are widely used in northwestern Kansas for controlling black-tailed prairie dog (Cynomys ludovicianus) populations. Although zinc phosphide poisoning of gallinaceous birds is not uncommon, there are few published accounts of nontarget chlorophacinone poisoning of wildlife. We report three mortality events involving nontarget rodenticide poisoning in several species, including wild turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo), a raccoon (Procyon lotor), and an American badger (Taxidea taxus). This includes the first documentation of chlorophacinone intoxication in wild turkeys and an American badger in the literature. The extent of nontarget poisoning in this area is cur...
23 citations
Cites methods from "Diagnosis of zinc phosphide poisoni..."
...For ZP testing, gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was performed to detect phosphine gas in the gastrointestinal content (reporting limit, 1 ppm), as described by Tiwary et al. (2005)....
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TL;DR: Progression of clinical signs in affected horses in this report was rapid, with few treatment options available, leading to a high case fatality rate.
Abstract: Case Description—66 horses were potentially exposed to phosphine (a gas) 14 hours after being fed a pelleted ration treated with aluminum phosphide. Clinical Findings—28 horses had clinical signs of profuse sweating, tachycardia, tachypnea, pyrexia, ataxia, seizures, and widespread muscle tremors. Clinically relevant laboratory findings included hypoglycemia and high plasma concentrations of lactate and ammonia and activities of γ-glutamyl transpeptidase, aspartate aminotransferase, and alkaline phosphatase. At least 4 horses had signs consistent with hepatic encephalopathy. Necropsy findings included petechial and ecchymotic hemorrhages in multiple organs, widespread vascular congestion, hepatic lipidosis, and neuronal necrosis in the brain. Phosphine was detected in the stomachs of the 3 horses tested. Treatment and Outcome—On the farm, horses were treated with gastric lavage followed by administration of di-tri-octahedral smectite, atropine, fluids, and sedatives. Six horses were hospitalized, and lact...
19 citations
Cites methods from "Diagnosis of zinc phosphide poisoni..."
...Use of gas chromatography−mass spectrometry for detection of PH 3 in the gastrointestinal tract contents of chickens has been described.(11) We did not use this method but rather used PH 3 detection tubes to detect the gas in the first 3 horses that were necropsied (only 3 detectors were available at the time)....
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TL;DR: It is concluded that zinc phosphide has potential as a useful tool for reducing populations of invasive lizards such as the black spiny-tailed iguana provided target-selective delivery methods are developed.
Abstract: Reducing populations of invasive lizards through trapping and shooting is feasible in many cases but effective inte- grated management relies on a variety of tools, including toxicants. In Florida, using wild-caught non-native black spiny-tailed iguanas Ctenosaura similis, we screened acetaminophen and zinc phosphide to determine their suitability for effective population management of this prolific invasive species. Of the animals that received acetaminophen, none died except at the highest test dose, 240 mg per lizard, which is not practical for field use. Zinc phosphide produced 100% mortality at dose levels as little as 25 mg per lizard, equivalent to about 0.5% in bait which is lower than currently used in commercial baits for commensal rodent con- trol. We conclude that zinc phosphide has potential as a useful tool for reducing populations of invasive lizards such as the black spiny-tailed iguana provided target-selective delivery methods are developed (Current Zoology 57 (5): 625-629, 2011). Keywords Acetaminophen, Black spiny-tailed iguana, Ctenosaura similis, Florida, Invasive, Zinc phosphide
10 citations
Cites background from "Diagnosis of zinc phosphide poisoni..."
...results from irritation of mucous membranes by phosphine gas which is generated as zinc phosphide is hydrolyzed by stomach acid (Tiwary et al., 2005)....
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...Emesis results from irritation of mucous membranes by phosphine gas which is generated as zinc phosphide is hydrolyzed by stomach acid (Tiwary et al., 2005)....
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References
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01 May 1989
TL;DR: A study was made of possible reasons for workers losing time from work at the Maritime Administration Reserve Fleets at Benicia, California and Fort Eustis, Virginia, and possible exposure to asbestos observed at both sites.
Abstract: A study was made of possible reasons for workers losing time from work at the Maritime Administration Reserve Fleets at Benicia, California and Fort Eustis, Virginia. At these worksites, activities associated with the mooring, preservation and maintenance of ships in the National Defense Reserve were undertaken. Most of the work involved manual materials handling tasks associated with the movement of ships in and out of the fleet, such as the handling of anchors, anchor inspecting and maintaining the engine room, cargo holds, and deck machinery with time spent in welding, metal working, painting, and other maintenance activities. The most frequent injuries occurring to workers at these sites included back muscle strains and sprains, groin pulls and hernias. Less prevalent injuries included eye injuries due to foreign objects, nail punctures to the soles of the feet, and muscle strains and sprains. There was also potential exposure to asbestos observed at both sites. A potential health hazard existed from pulling steel cable and nylon rope, lifting and carrying marine batteries, nail punctures, slips and falls, vibrating handtools, and foreign bodies in the eyes. Measures for lowering the risks of musculoskeletal and traumatic injuries and for reducing possible asbestos exposures are recommended.
216 citations
TL;DR: Phosphine was a strong inhibitor of respiration of mitochondria in the “active” state, uncoupled state, and ion-pumping state on glutamate, pyruvate plus malate, succinate, α-glycerophosphate, and ascorbate-cytochrome c as substrates.
164 citations
"Diagnosis of zinc phosphide poisoni..." refers background in this paper
...Phosphine causes irritation of the mucous membranes, resulting in emesis and gastroenteritis (16), but the major toxic mechanism is the inhibition of cytochrome oxidases and subsequent disruption of cellular respiration (3,11)....
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TL;DR: Findings indicate that endogenous GSH plays a crucial role as a protective factor in modulating PH(3)-induced oxidative damage, andPH(3) could injure kidney and heart via oxidative stress and the antioxidant melatonin effectively prevents the damage.
124 citations
"Diagnosis of zinc phosphide poisoni..." refers background in this paper
...Phosphine causes irritation of the mucous membranes, resulting in emesis and gastroenteritis (16), but the major toxic mechanism is the inhibition of cytochrome oxidases and subsequent disruption of cellular respiration (3,11)....
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Journal Article•
TL;DR: Silver nitrate impregnated paper test is simple, reliable and sensitive method to detect phosphine (PH3) for bed side diagnosis of aluminium phosphide (AIP) ingestion.
Abstract: Silver nitrate impregnated paper test was performed with the gastric fluid and in breath in 50 patients of aluminium phosphide poisoning The test was 100% positive with gastric fluid but was positive in 50% patients in breath The test is simple, reliable and sensitive method to detect phosphine (PH3) for bed side diagnosis of aluminium phosphide (AIP) ingestion
51 citations
"Diagnosis of zinc phosphide poisoni..." refers methods in this paper
...Diagnostic methods include analysis by silver nitrate–impregnated filter paper test (5), GC (2,15,18), and other calorimetric methods (8), but these methodologies are nonconfirmatory, and possibilities of false positive results exist....
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Journal Article•
TL;DR: Twenty cases of zinc phosphide (Zn3P2) ingestion (self-poisoning) were seen during the last 5 years (January 1992-December 1996) and five patients died.
Abstract: Twenty cases of zinc phosphide (Zn3P2) ingestion (self-poisoning) were seen during the last 5 years (January 1992-December 1996). Poisoning was rare before 1986. Profuse vomiting (100%), pain in abdomen (100%), palpitation and sweating (80%), dyspnea and tachypnea (75%), metabolic acidosis (60%), shock (40%), and hypotension (40%) were the most common presenting features. Five patients (25%) died. The toxic effects were due to liberation of toxic phosphine (PH3) gas which was detected by qualitative silver nitrate paper test in majority of cases.
41 citations
"Diagnosis of zinc phosphide poisoni..." refers background in this paper
...Its use is restricted because of its potential danger to nontarget species, including humans (4,7,9,19,20)....
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...The involvement of the gastrointestinal tract, heart, lungs, and liver is frequently observed with zinc phosphide intoxications in animals and humans (1,4)....
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