Investigation and treatment of lead toxicity in a galah (Eolophus roseicapilla)

2019 ◽  
Vol 24 (9) ◽  
pp. 488-493
Author(s):  
Victoria Caroline Temple
Keyword(s):  
Lead Poisoning ◽  
Lead Toxicity ◽  
Neurological Signs ◽  
Disodium Edetate ◽  
Toxin Exposure ◽  
Loss Of Balance ◽  
History Of ◽  
Lead Levels ◽  
High Lead

Birds can be exposed to oral toxins either inside or outside of their main enclosures. The psittacine beak is adapted not only for grasping and processing food but also for climbing, therefore toxin exposure can be either deliberate (by active ingestion), or accidental. A 1-year-old male galah (Eolophus roseicapilla) was presented with a 4-day history of neurological signs including loss of balance and seizures. The bird had access to a garage and was thought to have been chewing on lead sheeting. Radiodense particles were identified in the ventriculus and high lead levels were confirmed on toxicology. Treatment was instigated with calcium disodium edetate and a full recovery was made. This case study details the investigation and treatment for a typical presentation of lead poisoning in a psittacine.

scholarly journals Lead Poisoning Can Be Easily Misdiagnosed as Acute Porphyria and Nonspecific Abdominal Pain

2017 ◽  
Vol 2017 ◽  
pp. 1-4 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ming-Ta Tsai ◽  
Shi-Yu Huang ◽  
Shih-Yu Cheng
Keyword(s):  
Abdominal Pain ◽  
Lead Poisoning ◽  
Lead Toxicity ◽  
Blood Lead ◽  
Recurrent Abdominal Pain ◽  
Acute Porphyria ◽  
Detailed Medical History ◽  
History Of ◽  
Lead Levels ◽  
Test Result

Lead poisoning (LP) is less commonly encountered in emergency departments (ED). However, lead exposure still occurs, and new sources of poisoning have emerged. LP often goes unrecognized due to a low index of suspicion and nonspecific symptoms. We present a case of a 48-year-old man who had recurring abdominal pain with anemia that was misdiagnosed. His condition was initially diagnosed as nonspecific abdominal pain and acute porphyria. Acute porphyria-like symptoms with a positive urine porphyrin test result led to the misdiagnosis; testing for heme precursors in urine is the key to the differential diagnosis between LP and acute porphyria. The final definitive diagnosis of lead toxicity was confirmed based on high blood lead levels after detailed medical history taking. The lead poisoning was caused by traditional Chinese herbal pills. The abdominal pain disappeared after a course of chelating treatment. The triad for the diagnosis of lead poisoning should be a history of medicine intake, anemia with basophilic stippling, and recurrent abdominal pain.

scholarly journals Lead Toxicity in a Family as a Result of Occupational Exposure

2008 ◽  
Vol 59 (2) ◽  
pp. 127-133 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aryapu Raviraja ◽  
Gaja Babu ◽  
Anita Bijoor ◽  
Geraldine Menezes ◽  
Thuppil Venkatesh
Keyword(s):  
Occupational Exposure ◽  
Liver Function ◽  
Lead Poisoning ◽  
Lead Toxicity ◽  
Blood Lead ◽  
Blood Lead Levels ◽  
Zinc Protoporphyrin ◽  
Function Tests ◽  
The Family ◽  
Lead Levels

Lead Toxicity in a Family as a Result of Occupational ExposureThis article describes an entire family manufacturing lead acid batteries who all suffered from lead poisoning. The family of five lived in a house, part of which had been used for various stages of battery production for 14 years. Open space was used for drying batteries. They all drank water from a well located on the premises. Evaluation of biomarkers of lead exposure and/or effect revealed alarming blood lead levels [(3.92±0.94) μmol L-1], 50 % reduction in the activity of δ-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase [(24.67±5.12) U L-1] and an increase in zinc protoporphyrin [(1228±480) μg L-1]. Liver function tests showed an increase in serum alkaline phosphatase [(170.41±41.82) U L-1]. All other liver function test parameters were normal. Renal function tests showed an increase in serum uric acid [(515.81±86.29) μmol L-1] while urea and creatinine were normal. Serum calcium was low [(1.90±0.42) mmol L-1in women and (2.09±0.12) mmol L-1in men], while blood pressure was high in the head of the family and his wife and normal in children. Lead concentration in well water was estimated to 180 μg L-1. The family was referred to the National Referral Centre for Lead Poisoning in India, were they were received treatment and were informed about the hazards of lead poisoning. A follow up three months later showed a slight decrease in blood lead levels and a significant increase in haemoglobin. These findings can be attributed to behavioural changes adopted by the family, even though they continued producing lead batteries.

A Ceramic Glazer Presenting with Extremely High Lead Levels

1988 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 171-174 ◽  
Author(s):  
D.S. Ooi ◽  
S.L. Perkins
Keyword(s):  
Lead Level ◽  
Lead Toxicity ◽  
Blood Lead ◽  
Oral Route ◽  
Interesting Pattern ◽  
Elevated Liver Enzymes ◽  
Normocytic Anaemia ◽  
Lead Levels ◽  
High Level ◽  
High Lead

A case of lead poisoning in a ceramic glazer is reported. The patient had an extremely high level of blood lead at 29.5 μmol/l, and many of the laboratory features of lead toxicity: normocytic anaemia with marked basophilic stippling, abnormal blood and urinary porphyrins, and elevated liver enzymes. Surprisingly, the patient had no electromyographic evidence of neurologic involvement. The patient was treated with intravenous EDTA-calcium followed by oral penicillamine. Urinary porphyrin and porphyrin precursor excretion followed an interesting pattern, correlating with the chelator used. This patient illustrates that extremely high blood lead level can be achieved through the oral route in an adult.

scholarly journals Induction of myeloperoxidase deficiency in granulocytes in lead- intoxicated dogs

Blood ◽  
1979 ◽  
Vol 53 (4) ◽  
pp. 588-593 ◽  
Author(s):  
KC Caldwell ◽  
L Taddeini ◽  
RL Woodburn ◽  
GL Anderson ◽  
M Lobell
Keyword(s):  
Enzyme Activity ◽  
Lead Poisoning ◽  
Clinical Signs ◽  
Lead Toxicity ◽  
Blood Lead ◽  
Blood Lead Levels ◽  
Red Cell ◽  
Lead Levels ◽  
Red Cell Membranes

Abstract Lead interferes with heme synthesis in erythrocytes and has a deleterious effect on red cell membranes. We measured myeloperoxidase (MPO) enzyme activity in the granulocytes of dogs fed increasing quantities of lead. Concurrently, iodination capability and in vitro bactericidal activity were measured. Blood lead levels were monitored. Three of 4 dogs poisoned with lead developed significant decreases in MPO enzyme activity in their granulocytes. The decline in MPO activity correlated with cumulative lead toxicity as judged by blood lead levels and clinical signs of lead poisoning. Iodination ability in all 4 dogs decreased with cumulative lead toxicity. After discontinuation of lead administration, recovery of granulocyte MPO activity preceded recovery of iodination ability. This observation suggests the possibility of separate effects of lead on iodination ability and MPO activity. Moderate impairment of bactericidal capacity developed in 3 of 4 dogs with severe lead poisoning. Clinical infections were not observed during the course of the study.

scholarly journals Lead Poisoning; a Neglected Potential Diagnosis in Abdominal Pain

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mahtab Shabani ◽  
Seyed Kaveh Hadeiy ◽  
Parinaz Parhizgar ◽  
Nasim Zamani ◽  
Hamid Mehrad ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Abdominal Pain ◽  
Lead Poisoning ◽  
Lead Level ◽  
Lead Toxicity ◽  
Blood Lead ◽  
Signs And Symptoms ◽  
Laboratory Findings ◽  
Opiate Use ◽  
History Of ◽  
Opium Use

Abstract Background Abdominal pain may be a presenting symptom of lead poisoning, and is often difficult to diagnose. We aimed to determine the prevalence of abdominal pain in patients seen in the Laghman Hakim Hospital ED and GI clinic who were lead-intoxicated, with or without opiate use disorder.Methods Between July 2017 and January 2018, patients seen in the ED and GI clinic of Loghman Hakim Hospital with unexplained abdominal pain or abdominal pain resistant to treatment were enrolled. Informed consent was obtained from potential enrollees. For standardization, a pre-designed data collection tool was developed for uniform data acquisition. Opiate use was determined historically. For this study, lead poisoning was defined as a blood lead level (BLL) greater than or equal to 30 μg/dL (1.45 micromoles/L) with concomitant GI symptoms.Results Of 125 patients admitted, 28 (22.4%) had BLLs higher than 30 μg/dL. None of the patients had signs and symptoms of opioid withdrawal syndrome during evaluation. Elevated BLLs were significantly correlated with oral opium use/abuse, history of addiction for over the preceding 12 years. The daily opium use was more than 2.75 grams. There was a statistical correlation between lead toxicity and abdominal pain consistency and intensity, constipation, and paresthesias. Anemia, leukocytosis, and abnormal liver enzyme tests were laboratory findings associated with lead toxicity. Four patients died, one of whom was diagnosed with lead toxicity.Conclusion Lead toxicity should be considered in the potential differential diagnosis of severe and resistant abdominal pain in patients referring to general EDs or GI clinics if a positive history of opium abuse exists.

AMBULATORY TREATMENT OF LEAD POISONING: REPORT OF 1,155 CASES

PEDIATRICS ◽  
1970 ◽  
Vol 46 (3) ◽  
pp. 389-396
Author(s):  
Henrietta K. Sachs ◽  
Lorry A. Blanksma ◽  
Edward F. Murray ◽  
Morgan J. O'Connell
Keyword(s):  
Lead Poisoning ◽  
Chelating Agents ◽  
Clinical Evidence ◽  
Blood Lead ◽  
Blood Lead Levels ◽  
Drug Reactions ◽  
Provocative Test ◽  
Disodium Edetate ◽  
Ambulatory Treatment ◽  
Lead Levels

Subjects with lead concentrations greater than 50 µg per 100 ml whole blood were referred to a municipal lead poisoning clinic for evaluation. Chelating agents were administered when two blood lead levels were more than 50 µg, or calcium disodium edetate (EDTA) provocative test yielded over 1,000 µg/l of lead in the urine in the succeeding 8 hours. Therapy was on an ambulatory basis. Patients with moderate encephalopathy were hospitalized. Intramuscular EDTA, oral penicillamine, or the two drugs in sequence were given to 582 patients in 1967 and to 573 patients in 1968. Clinical evidence of lead intoxication was present in 103 or 8.9% of the 1,155 patients. Several drug reactions to penicillamine were observed, but none to EDTA, and mortality dropped due to early detection and detoxification of subclinical cases of lead poisoning.

scholarly journals Induction of myeloperoxidase deficiency in granulocytes in lead- intoxicated dogs

Blood ◽  
1979 ◽  
Vol 53 (4) ◽  
pp. 588-593
Author(s):  
KC Caldwell ◽  
L Taddeini ◽  
RL Woodburn ◽  
GL Anderson ◽  
M Lobell
Keyword(s):  
Enzyme Activity ◽  
Lead Poisoning ◽  
Clinical Signs ◽  
Lead Toxicity ◽  
Blood Lead ◽  
Blood Lead Levels ◽  
Red Cell ◽  
Lead Levels ◽  
Red Cell Membranes

Lead interferes with heme synthesis in erythrocytes and has a deleterious effect on red cell membranes. We measured myeloperoxidase (MPO) enzyme activity in the granulocytes of dogs fed increasing quantities of lead. Concurrently, iodination capability and in vitro bactericidal activity were measured. Blood lead levels were monitored. Three of 4 dogs poisoned with lead developed significant decreases in MPO enzyme activity in their granulocytes. The decline in MPO activity correlated with cumulative lead toxicity as judged by blood lead levels and clinical signs of lead poisoning. Iodination ability in all 4 dogs decreased with cumulative lead toxicity. After discontinuation of lead administration, recovery of granulocyte MPO activity preceded recovery of iodination ability. This observation suggests the possibility of separate effects of lead on iodination ability and MPO activity. Moderate impairment of bactericidal capacity developed in 3 of 4 dogs with severe lead poisoning. Clinical infections were not observed during the course of the study.

Historical documentation of lead toxicity prior to the 20th century in English literature

2017 ◽  
Vol 37 (8) ◽  
pp. 775-788 ◽  
Author(s):  
ME Jonasson ◽  
R Afshari
Keyword(s):  
20Th Century ◽  
Lead Poisoning ◽  
English Language ◽  
English Literature ◽  
Historical Context ◽  
Lead Toxicity ◽  
Lead Contamination ◽  
Time Period ◽  
History Of ◽  
The 19Th Century

Lead is a heavy metal that remains a persistent environmental toxin. Although there have been a substantial number of reviews published on the health effects of lead, these reviews have predominantly focused on recent publications and rarely look at older, more historical articles. Old documents on lead can provide useful insight in establishing the historical context of lead usage and its modes of toxicity. The objective of this review is to explore historical understandings and uses of lead prior to the 20th century. One hundred eighty-eight English language articles that were published before the year 1900 were included in this review. Major themes in historical documentation of lead toxicology include lead’s use in medical treatments, symptoms of lead poisoning, treatments for lead poisoning, occupational lead poisonings, and lead contamination in food and drinking water. The results of this review indicate that lead’s usage was widespread throughout the 19th century, and its toxic properties were well-known. Common symptoms of lead poisoning and suggested treatments were identified during this time period. This review provides important insight into the knowledge and uses of lead before the 20th century and can serve as a resource for researchers looking at the history of lead.

scholarly journals Lead Poisoning; a Neglected Potential Diagnosis in Abdominal Pain

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mahtab Shabani ◽  
Seyed Kaveh Hadeiy ◽  
Parinaz Parhizgar ◽  
Nasim Zamani ◽  
Hamid Mehrad ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Abdominal Pain ◽  
Lead Poisoning ◽  
Lead Level ◽  
Lead Toxicity ◽  
Signs And Symptoms ◽  
Laboratory Findings ◽  
Opiate Use ◽  
Gi Symptoms ◽  
History Of ◽  
Opium Use

Abstract Background: Abdominal pain may be a presenting symptom of lead poisoning, and poisoning and is often difficult to diagnose. This study We aimed to determine the prevalence of abdominal pain in patients seen in the Laghman Hakim Hospital ED and GI clinic who were lead-intoxicated, with or without opiate use disorder. Methods: Between July 2017 and January 2018, patients seen in the ED and GI clinic of Loghman Hakim Hospital with unexplained abdominal pain or abdominal pain resistant to treatment were enrolled. Informed consent was obtained from potential enrollees. For standardization, a pre-designed data collection tool was developed for uniform data acquisition. Opiate use was determined historically. For this study, lead poisoning was defined as a blood lead level (BLL) greater than or equal to 30 μg/dL (1.45 micromoles/L) with concomitant GI symptoms. Results: Of 125 patients admitted, 28 (22.4%) had BLLs higher than 30 μg/dL. None of the patients had signs and symptoms of opioid withdrawal syndrome during evaluation. Elevated BLLs were significantly correlated with oral opium use/abuse, history of addiction for over the preceding 12 years. The daily opium use was more than 2.75 grams. There was a statistical correlation between lead toxicity and abdominal pain consistency and intensity, constipation, and paresthesias. Anemia, leukocytosis, and abnormal liver enzyme tests were laboratory findings associated with lead toxicity. Four patients died, one of whom was diagnosed with lead toxicity. Conclusion: Lead toxicity should be considered in the potential differential diagnosis of severe and resistant abdominal pain in patients referring to general EDs or GI clinics if a positive history of opium abuse exists.

scholarly journals Interaction of Lead and Nitrate on Growth Characteristics of Ornamental Judas Tree (Cercis siliquastrum L.)

2018 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 670-677 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abdolhossein Rezaei Nejad ◽  
Mansoure Hatamian ◽  
Mohsen Kafi ◽  
Mohammad Kazem Souri ◽  
Karim Shahbazi
Keyword(s):  
Plant Growth ◽  
Morphological Traits ◽  
Growth Traits ◽  
Lead Toxicity ◽  
Tree Seedlings ◽  
Plant Analysis ◽  
Nitrogenous Compounds ◽  
Relative Water ◽  
Lead Levels ◽  
High Lead

Abstract Lead is presently a significant heavy metal pollutant that is toxic for all types of life and is of worldwide concern. Various strategies may be applied to increase tolerance of plants to heavy metals, for example nitrogenous compounds have been shown to exert such effects. In the present study combinations of lead levels (0, 15, 30 mgL-1) and nitrate levels (0, 50, 100 mgL-1) applied through irrigation water, were evaluated for interactions affecting growth of ornamental Judas tree seedlings. The treatments were arranged in a randomized factorial design with four replications. The results showed that interactions between lead and nitrate levels on growth traits were not significant; however, the simple effects of lead and nitrate were significant on most morphological traits. The morphological traits of leaf SPAD (Soil and Plant Analysis Development) value, leaf area, new shoots growth and relative water content of leaf were reduced by application of lead (particularly at 30 mgL-1). Nevertheless, application of nitrate particularly at 100 mgL-1 significantly offset the reduced plant growth traits induced by high levels of lead. The results indicate that presence of nitrate can significantly improve plant growth under high lead toxicity.

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