{"title":"Membranous Nephropathy after Subcutaneous Mercury Injection.","authors":"Kelly Johnson-Arbor, Sammy Taha","doi":"10.1007/s13181-025-01081-w","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s13181-025-01081-w","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Subcutaneous elemental mercury injection is typically not associated with systemic toxicity. This case report describes a man who developed persistent membranous nephropathy temporally associated with intentional subcutaneous elemental mercury injection.</p><p><strong>Case report: </strong>A 21-year-old man injected elemental mercury into his left forearm after experiencing worsening depression during the COVID-19 pandemic. Several months later, he sought dermatology evaluation due to nodularity at the injection site. He underwent attempted excision of what was presumed to be a left forearm lipoma, but he did not report the history of mercury injection. He subsequently developed proteinuria and was diagnosed with membranous nephropathy. Treatment with rituximab did not improve his condition, and he eventually divulged the history of mercury injection three years after the initial exposure. He underwent surgical excision of the mercury deposits, left forearm flap reconstruction, and chelation with oral succimer. Despite these interventions, his proteinuria and urine protein to creatinine ratio remained persistently elevated, consistent with ongoing membranous nephropathy.</p><p><strong>Discussion: </strong>Renal pathology is associated with mercury toxicity after dermal or inhalational exposure but is rarely reported to occur after subcutaneous injection of elemental mercury. The pathophysiology of mercury-induced membranous nephropathy may involve formation of autoantibodies and cytokines after direct renal tubular injury. Surgical excision is the primary treatment for subcutaneous mercury exposure. Chelation may be considered for patients with evidence of systemic toxicity or ongoing mercury exposure, although the optimal timing of perioperative chelation has not been defined.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Significant systemic toxicity, including membranous nephropathy, may occur after subcutaneous mercury injection.</p>","PeriodicalId":16429,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Medical Toxicology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-06-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144225732","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Brian W Gilbert, Charles S Wilson, Nicholas Kim, Tessa R Cox, Melissa V Ortiz
{"title":"A Case of Angiotensin II Utilization for Refractory Shock in a Polysubstance Overdose.","authors":"Brian W Gilbert, Charles S Wilson, Nicholas Kim, Tessa R Cox, Melissa V Ortiz","doi":"10.1007/s13181-025-01080-x","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s13181-025-01080-x","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Amlodipine and quetiapine are widely utilized medications that are generally well-tolerated at therapeutic doses. However, overdoses can lead to severe, life-threatening cardiovascular effects, leading to refractory vasoplegia. The management of poly-ingestion overdoses is challenging and often requires aggressive, multimodal treatment strategies especially when the causative agent is unknown. In this case report, a 38-year-old male intentionally ingested a large amount of amlodipine and quetiapine resulting in refractory shock despite high doses of vasopressors, calcium, and insulin therapy. After conventional therapies failed, the administration of exogenous angiotensin II (Ang II), a vasoconstrictor traditionally used for septic shock, led to a marked improvement in the patient's blood pressure and stabilization of hemodynamics. Sixty minutes after initiation of Ang II, the patient's mean arterial pressure (MAP) improved, allowing for the weaning of other vasopressors and a gradual reduction in insulin therapy. This case highlights the potential role of Ang II as a salvage therapy in polysubstance ingestions when other therapies fail.</p>","PeriodicalId":16429,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Medical Toxicology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-05-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144187187","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Allison R Font, Michael O Khoury, Christopher D Riviello, Michael F Singer
{"title":"Articles You Might Have Missed.","authors":"Allison R Font, Michael O Khoury, Christopher D Riviello, Michael F Singer","doi":"10.1007/s13181-025-01079-4","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s13181-025-01079-4","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":16429,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Medical Toxicology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-05-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144120032","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Timlin Glaser, Rachel Culbreth, Erica L Liebelt, Anne-Michelle Ruha, Spencer Greene, Sharan Campleman, Meghan B Spyres
{"title":"Analysis of Acute Hypersensitivity Reactions by Antivenom Type and Geographic Location in the North American Snake Bite Registry (NASBR).","authors":"Timlin Glaser, Rachel Culbreth, Erica L Liebelt, Anne-Michelle Ruha, Spencer Greene, Sharan Campleman, Meghan B Spyres","doi":"10.1007/s13181-025-01078-5","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s13181-025-01078-5","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Evidence regarding acute hypersensitivity reactions (AHRs) to the snakebite antivenoms Crotalidae Polyvalent Immune Fab (ovine) (Fab) and Crotalidae Immune F(ab')<sub>2</sub> (equine) (Fab2) supports no differences. However, larger studies may not account for geographic differences. Recent data suggest a correlation with alpha-gal syndrome (AGS). This study investigates the incidence of AHRs in patients receiving Fab2, Fab, or both, with a focus on U.S. states with higher AGS prevalence.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This is an analysis of native pit viper envenomations reported to the Toxicology Investigators Consortium (ToxIC) North American Snakebite Registry (NASBR) between January 1, 2018, and December 31, 2023. Patients administered Fab2 or Fab on index hospitalization were included. High-AGS and low-AGS regions were defined according to epidemiologic data. The primary outcome was incidence of AHRs after administration of antivenom overall and in high-AGS vs. low-AGS states. Bivariate statistical tests and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for proportions were computed.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A total of 1051 patients were identified. Fab2 was administered in 439 cases, and Fab was administered in 722 cases for a total of 1161 cases. Fifty AHRs were analyzed. AHRs were more common with Fab2 (6.6%; 95% CI: 4.6%, 9.3%) compared to Fab (2.9%; 95% CI: 1.9%, 4.4%) in the overall NASBR population (p = 0.004). In low-AGS states, there were 25/421 (5.9%; 95% CI: 4.1%, 8.6%) Fab2 AHRs vs. 16/569 (2.8%; 95% CI: 1.7%, 4.5%) Fab AHRs (p = 0.02). In high-AGS states, the Fab2 group had 4/18 (22.2%; 95% CI: 9.0%, 45.2%) AHRs vs. 5/153 (3.3%; 95% CI: 1.4%, 7.4%) in the Fab group (p = 0.008).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>In this ToxIC NASBR study, administration of Fab2 was associated with a higher incidence of AHRs compared to Fab. The difference was especially notable in states with a higher prevalence of AGS.</p>","PeriodicalId":16429,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Medical Toxicology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-05-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144063831","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Devesh Bungatavula, John C Greenwood, Frances S Shofer, Guthrie Buehler, Shih-Han Kao, Matthew Kelly, Samuel S Shin, Johannes K Ehinger, Todd J Kilbaugh, David H Jang
{"title":"Blood Cells as a Cellular Biomarker for Mitochondrial Function in a Experimental Model of Acute Carbon Monoxide Poisoning with Treatment.","authors":"Devesh Bungatavula, John C Greenwood, Frances S Shofer, Guthrie Buehler, Shih-Han Kao, Matthew Kelly, Samuel S Shin, Johannes K Ehinger, Todd J Kilbaugh, David H Jang","doi":"10.1007/s13181-025-01077-6","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s13181-025-01077-6","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Carbon monoxide (CO) is a leading cause of environmental poisoning in the United States with substantial mortality and morbidity. The mechanism of CO poisoning is complex and includes hypoxia, inflammation, and mitochondrial dysfunction. Currently both biomarkers and therapies for CO poisoning are limited and require new approaches.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Rats (~ 300 g) were divided into four groups of ten rodents per group (exposure): Control (room air), CO-400 (400 ppm), CO-1000 (1000 ppm) and CO-2000 (2000 ppm). Rodents received the assigned exposure through a secured tracheotomy tube over 120 min followed by 30 min of re-oxygenation at room air for a total of 150 min. Five additional rodents in each group were administered a succinate prodrug (NV354) at the start of exposure for the duration of the experiment until the reoxygenation period as separate experiments. Cortical brain tissue and whole blood were obtained for mitochondrial respiration. Stored plasma and snap frozen tissue stored at -80<sup>o</sup>C were used to obtain protein quantification with Western Blotting.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>All animals in the Sham, CO-400, and CO-1000 groups survived until the end of the exposure period; no animals in the CO-2000 groups survived the exposure and were counted as attrition. We observed a dose-dependent decrease in key respiratory states in both isolated brain mitochondria and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), and, PBMCs respiration more positively correlated with isolated brain mitochondria when compared to carboxyhemoglobin (COHb). There was no significant difference in mitochondrial respiratory states in animals treated with NV354 compared to the untreated group.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The primary findings from this study include: (1) A dose-dependent decrease with key respiration states with higher concentrations of CO; (2) PBMCs had a higher correlation to isolated brain mitochondria respiration when compared to COHb; and (3) there was no treatment effect with the use of NV354.</p>","PeriodicalId":16429,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Medical Toxicology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-04-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144024555","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Mustafa Quadir, Natalie I Rine, Jaahnavi Badeti, Hannah L Hays, Nichole L Michaels, Jingzhen Yang, Gary A Smith
{"title":"In Response to Comment on \"Tianeptine Exposures Reported to United States Poison Centers, 2015-2023\".","authors":"Mustafa Quadir, Natalie I Rine, Jaahnavi Badeti, Hannah L Hays, Nichole L Michaels, Jingzhen Yang, Gary A Smith","doi":"10.1007/s13181-025-01074-9","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s13181-025-01074-9","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":16429,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Medical Toxicology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-04-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144024919","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Leah D Swanson, Holly A Hommerding, Renee D Schmid, Lynn R Hovda
{"title":"Multisystemic Consequences Following Oclacitinib Maleate (Apoquel<sup>®</sup>) Overdose Ingestion in Cats and Dogs.","authors":"Leah D Swanson, Holly A Hommerding, Renee D Schmid, Lynn R Hovda","doi":"10.1007/s13181-025-01076-7","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s13181-025-01076-7","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Pet Poison Helpline<sup>®</sup> (PPH), a 24/7 international animal poison control center has observed a significant and rising number of exposures detailing multisystemic signs and adverse outcomes associated with oclacitinib maleate (Apoquel<sup>®</sup>) overdoses.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Pet Poison Helpline<sup>®</sup> utilizes a proprietary electronic database which was retrospectively reviewed for oclacitinib maleate exposure information from January 2022 to November 2024 through their toxicology consultation service.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Market entry and distribution of chewable oclacitinib maleate occurred in October 2023. In the year following, there was a 299% increase in calls to PPH from inadvertent exposure. Of the 417 symptomatic cases reviewed, 63 cases were symptomatic cats, and 354 cases were symptomatic dogs. Multi-system organ involvement, including neurological, gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, renal, hepatic, and ocular signs, as well as laboratory abnormalities were observed.</p><p><strong>Discussion: </strong>Introduction of a chewable formulation in October 2023 likely attributed to a marked increase in exposures. Accompanying this rise in overdose exposures, a notable escalation in multisystemic effects was seen, including neurological, gastrointestinal signs, cardiovascular disturbances, ocular irregularities, renal and hepatic injury, and complete blood count (CBC) hematological abnormalities. Treatment is largely symptomatic and supportive therapy.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The increased occurrence of exposures to oclacitinib maleate underscores necessity for additional research of JAK inhibitors in animals to better understand and address oclacitinib maleate toxicosis.</p>","PeriodicalId":16429,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Medical Toxicology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-04-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144009048","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Jonathan Berger, Mohamed Jalloh, Alec Severe, Alex Manini
{"title":"Response to \"Comment on Naloxone Dosing and Hospitalization for Nitazene Overdose: A Scoping Review\".","authors":"Jonathan Berger, Mohamed Jalloh, Alec Severe, Alex Manini","doi":"10.1007/s13181-025-01071-y","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s13181-025-01071-y","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":16429,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Medical Toxicology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-04-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144007165","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Comment on \"Naloxone Dosing and Hospitalization for Nitazene Overdose: A Scoping Review\".","authors":"Mark Pucci, Gurpreet Singh Jutley","doi":"10.1007/s13181-025-01070-z","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s13181-025-01070-z","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":16429,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Medical Toxicology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-04-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144022864","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Benjamin Herzel, Neev Batavia, Paul Gavaza, Tammy Phan, Emmelyn Samones, Anne-Michelle Ruha, Jakub Furmaga, Christopher Hoyte, Brian J Wolk
{"title":"The Cost of Antivenom: A Cost Minimization Study using the North American Snakebite Registry.","authors":"Benjamin Herzel, Neev Batavia, Paul Gavaza, Tammy Phan, Emmelyn Samones, Anne-Michelle Ruha, Jakub Furmaga, Christopher Hoyte, Brian J Wolk","doi":"10.1007/s13181-025-01072-x","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s13181-025-01072-x","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Envenomation is a global health issue, with over 9,000 encounters managed in the United States yearly. The introduction of immunoglobulin fragment antivenom has reduced the risk of hypersensitivity. This study compares treatment costs of crotaline envenomation using the Fab and F(ab')<sub>2</sub> antivenoms as reported to the North American Snakebite Registry (NASBR), a nationwide surveillance tool.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This was a retrospective analysis of NASBR data between 2018 and 2020. The following data points were assessed: patient demographics (age, gender, race), snake species, type of antivenom used, and treatment costs. Unit costs were estimated based on United States Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services data. Average (mean) per patient costs from the payer perspective were calculated by multiplying resources by the unit costs. Sensitivity analyses were performed regarding cost variance and snake species. All costs reported in this study are in U.S. dollars.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The average total cost of treatment was $31,343 per person, with medications contributing 72% of the total. Average total cost among patients who received Fab treatments was $33,347 per person compared to $19,747 among patients who received F(ab')<sub>2</sub>. Antivenom costs accounted for 75% of the total cost in the Fab group and 42% in the F(ab')<sub>2</sub> group. F(ab')<sub>2</sub> required more vials than Fab (median 18 versus 10). Non-antivenom costs such as hospitalizations were higher in the F(ab')<sub>2</sub> group. Using average sale prices increased average total cost to $52,572; Fab remained more expensive.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Antivenom is the primary cost driver in snakebite treatment in North America. Treatment with F(ab')<sub>2</sub> resulted in lower overall costs, driven by lower cost of antivenom. F(ab')<sub>2</sub> did not significantly lower overall resource use except for blood product administration.</p>","PeriodicalId":16429,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Medical Toxicology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-04-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144024558","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}