<abstract xml:lang="en" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><p>As copper sulphate pentahydrate (CSP) is a common compound used in agriculture and industry, chronic occupational exposures to CSP are well known, but acute poisoning is rare in the Western world. This case report describes acute poisoning of a 33-year-old woman who attempted suicide by ingesting an unknown amount of CSP. On admission to the hospital, she had symptoms and signs of severe hemorrhagic gastroenteritis, dehydration, renal dysfunction and methaemoglobinaemia with normal serum copper level. Therapy included early gastric lavage, fluid replacement, vasoactive drugs, furosemide, antiemetic drugs, ranitidine, and antidotes methylene blue and 2,3-dimercaptopropane-1-sulphonate (DMPS). However, the patient developed severe intravascular haemolysis, acute severe hepatic and renal failure, as well as adrenal insufficiency. After prolonged, but successful hospital treatment, including haemodialysis and IV hydrocortisone, the patient was discharged with signs of mild renal and liver impairment. Our conclusion is that in severe cases of copper poisoning early supportive measures are essential. In addition, antidotes such as methylene blue for methaemoglobinaemia and chelating agent such as DMPS improve morbidity and survival of severely poisoned victims.</p></abstract>

As copper sulphate pentahydrate (CSP) is a common compound used in agriculture and industry, chronic occupational exposures to CSP are well known, but acute poisoning is rare in the Western world. This case report describes acute poisoning of a 33-year-old woman who attempted suicide by ingesting an unknown amount of CSP. On admission to the hospital, she had symptoms and signs of severe hemorrhagic gastroenteritis, dehydration, renal dysfunction and methaemoglobinaemia with normal serum copper level. Therapy included early gastric lavage, fluid replacement, vasoactive drugs, furosemide, antiemetic drugs, ranitidine, and antidotes methylene blue and 2,3-dimercaptopropane-1-sulphonate (DMPS). However, the patient developed severe intravascular haemolysis, acute severe hepatic and renal failure, as well as adrenal insufficiency. After prolonged, but successful hospital treatment, including haemodialysis and IV hydrocortisone, the patient was discharged with signs of mild renal and liver impairment. Our conclusion is that in severe cases of copper poisoning early supportive measures are essential. In addition, antidotes such as methylene blue for methaemoglobinaemia and chelating agent such as DMPS improve morbidity and survival of severely poisoned victims.

Severe Acute Copper Sulphate Poisoning: A Case Report

Maribor Teaching Hospital, Maribor, Slovenia

Archives of Industrial Hygiene and Toxicology

{"article-title":"Severe Acute Copper Sulphate Poisoning: A Case Report"}

As copper sulphate pentahydrate (CSP) is a common compound used in agriculture and industry, chronic occupational exposures to CSP are well known, but acute...

Severe Acute Copper Sulphate Poisoning: A Case Report

Published Online: Apr 11, 2008

Page range: 31 - 35

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/10004-1254-59-2008-1847

Keywords
2,3-dimerkaptopropan-1-sulfonat, jetrna odpoved, ledvična odpoved, methemoglobinemija, metilensko modrilo

This content is open access.

Severe Acute Copper Sulphate Poisoning: A Case Report

Published Online: Apr 11, 2008

Page range: 31 - 35

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/10004-1254-59-2008-1847

Keywords2,3-dimerkaptopropan-1-sulfonat, jetrna odpoved, ledvična odpoved, methemoglobinemija, metilensko modrilo

This content is open access.

Keywords
2,3-dimerkaptopropan-1-sulfonat, jetrna odpoved, ledvična odpoved, methemoglobinemija, metilensko modrilo