Question Of The Day

In a recent report of drug testing on umbilical cord tissue, what percentage of cocaine or opiate positive samples tested positive for adulterating or cutting substances? According to the cited reference, 97% of samples which were positive for either cocaine or opiates were also positive…

A recent report described a syndrome associated with organotin toxicity. What were the reported symptoms and imaging findings? The patient reported impaired memory, loss of balance, apathy, tinnitus, scaly darkened skin, and psychomotor slowing. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed diffuse bilateral white matter lesions. Dang TQ,…

The recently approved long acting buprenorphine injection Brixadi (TM) can only be administration via what route? Subcutaneous into the buttock, thigh, abdomen or upper arm. Upon contact with body fluids, Brixadi forms a liquid crystalline gel. Thus, it carries a black box warning for the…

In a recent study of single substance exposures to hydroxyzine and diphenhydramine, which agent was less likely to result in antimuscarinic symptoms? In a recent review of single substance exposures to hydroxyzine and diphenhydramine reported to the National Poison Data System (NPDS) and Toxicologic Investigators…

Historical QOD 12/23/08: Describe the mechanism of wormwood toxicity. Toxicity from wormwood (Artemisia absinthum) is due to its thujone components (both alpha- and beta-thujone). Alpha-thujone has been shown to bind and inhibit GABAA receptors, leading to convulsions. (Skyles AJ. Sweet BV. Wormwood. American Journal of…

In a recent Israeli outbreak of brodifacoum exposure from synthetic cannabinoid use, what was the most common presenting symptom? According to the cited reference: “The most common presenting symptom was urinary tract bleeding (53%), followed by gastrointestinal bleeding (50%), and 43 patients (60%) had multiple…

According to a recent review of chronic ketamine use, for which 3 organ systems have adverse effects been reported? CNS (cognative impairment, verbal fluency and memory), GI (biliary tract abnormalities), GU (Hydronephrosis, deteriorating renal function, ulcerative cystitis) Schep LJ, Slaughter RJ, Watts M, Mackenzie E,…

What is the most common local anesthetic identified in recently seized cocaine samples? Lidocaine was identified in 660 of 2151 samples (30.7%) confiscated in CA, DC, Fl, IL, KY, NH, OH, PA, TX, VT between 2016-2021. Interestingly the occurance was lowest in TX and IL…

Which two esters-type local anesthetics have been identified in recently seized cocaine samples? Procaine and Benzocaine https://www.cfsre.org/images/content/reports/public_alerts/CainesPublic_Health_Alert_-_Final.pdf?emci=d1d943bb-d706-ee11-907c-00224832eb73&emdi=2a4f13b0-de06-ee11-907c-00224832eb73&ceid=9751002    

What is the carcinogenicity of cadmium and cadmium compounds? “There is sufficient evidence in humans for the carcinogenicity of cadmium and cadmium compounds. Cadmium and cadmium compounds cause cancer of the lung. Also, positive associations have been observed between exposure to cadmium and cadmium compounds…