Acute arsenic poisoning: absence of polyneuropathy after treatment with 2,3-dimercaptopropanesulphonate (DMPS).

Abstract

Two men aged 19 and 21 years ingested 1 g and 4 g respectively from 3 kg of a white crystalline powder that they thought was a substance of abuse. It was later identified as almost pure arsenic trioxide. Both had nausea and vomiting and one developed acute renal failure. Each was treated with 2,3-dimercaptopropanesulphonate (DMPS), and made a full recovery with no evidence of prolonged renal or neurological impairment. The DMPS-arsenic complex is probably associated with lower penetration into the CNS and as a consequence treatment with DMPS may result in lower acute and chronic neurotoxicity than treatment with the currently standard recommended chelating agent dimercaprol (British Anti-Lewisite; BAL).

• Authors: D F Moore, C A O'Callaghan, G Berlyne, C S Ogg, H A Davies, I M House, J A Henry
• Journal: Journal of neurology, neurosurgery, and psychiatry (J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry) Vol. 57 Issue 9 Pg. 1133-5 (Sep 1994) ISSN: 0022-3050 [Print] England
• PMID: 8089687 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Unithiol

Topics

• Acute Disease
• Adult
• Arsenic Poisoning
• Humans
• Male
• Peripheral Nervous System Diseases (prevention & control)
• Unithiol (therapeutic use)