@2024 Afarand., IRAN
ISSN: 1027-1457 Scientific Journal of Forensic Medicine 2019;25(4):189-192
ISSN: 1027-1457 Scientific Journal of Forensic Medicine 2019;25(4):189-192
Death Due to Strychnine Poisoning in a Health Worker’s Suicide: A Case Report
ARTICLE INFO
Article Type
Case ReportAuthors
Pooladi H. (*1)Moradi M. (1)
Masoudipour E. (1)
(1) Legal Medicine Research Center, Iranian Legal Medicine Organization, Tehran, Iran
Correspondence
Address: Legal Medicine Center of Kermanshah, Beginning of Resalat Town, Sheikh Fazel Toosi Boulevard (Keyhan Shahr), Kermanshah, Iran. Postal code: 6716983586Phone: +98 (83) 38323200
Fax: +98 (83) 38322056
hosseinpoolady@yahoo.com
Article History
Received: July 17, 2019Accepted: November 26, 2019
ePublished: December 21, 2019
ABSTRACT
Aims
Strychnine is a natural alkaloid, which is used as pesticide for many years. In this report, a case of suicide with Strychnine was presented.
Patient & Methods In a suicide scene, a 55-year-old male health worker was found with spastic and arched back spine and rigid muscles similar to rigor mortis. In autopsy, signs of superficial burning were seen in the mucous membranes of mouth, pharynx. The lungs were anthracotic and edematic and had diffuse hemorrhage. There were signs of ischemia in the ventricular muscles. A suicidal note and a glass containing a small amount of a white fluid were found in death scene. Samples of contents of stomach, gallbladder, blood, and liver were obtained for toxicology investigations. In these samples, the presence of strychnine toxin was confirmed by high performance liquid chromatography.
Conclusion Despite the ban on the use of strychnine, it seems that this poison is still used in some areas. By observing suicide cases, it seems that there is a need for more precise monitoring to prevent stereotypes.
Patient & Methods In a suicide scene, a 55-year-old male health worker was found with spastic and arched back spine and rigid muscles similar to rigor mortis. In autopsy, signs of superficial burning were seen in the mucous membranes of mouth, pharynx. The lungs were anthracotic and edematic and had diffuse hemorrhage. There were signs of ischemia in the ventricular muscles. A suicidal note and a glass containing a small amount of a white fluid were found in death scene. Samples of contents of stomach, gallbladder, blood, and liver were obtained for toxicology investigations. In these samples, the presence of strychnine toxin was confirmed by high performance liquid chromatography.
Conclusion Despite the ban on the use of strychnine, it seems that this poison is still used in some areas. By observing suicide cases, it seems that there is a need for more precise monitoring to prevent stereotypes.
CITATION LINKS
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[15]Miveiyan M. Investigation of Suicides and their causes in Kermanshah province. Ghanonyar J Civ Leg Sci. 2017;3(3):99-117. [Persian]
[16]Kordrostami R, Akhgari M, Ameri M, Ghadipasha M, Aghakhani K. Forensic toxicology analysis of self-poisoning suicidal deaths in Tehran, Iran; trends between 2011-2015. Daru. 2017;25(1):15.
[2]Philippe G, Angenot L, Tits M, Frederich M. About the toxicity of some Strychnos species and their alkaloids. Toxicon. 2004;44(4):405-16.
[3]Parker AJ, Lee JB, Redman J, Jolliffe L. Strychnine poisoning: gone but not forgotten. Emerg Med J. 2011;28(1):84.
[4]Wood DM, Webster E, Martinez D, Dargan PI, Jones AL. Case report: Survival after deliberate strychnine self-poisoning, with toxicokinetic data. Crit Care. 2002;6(5):456-9.
[5]Wade DA. Predator damage control, 1980: recent history and current status. In: Proceedings of the 9th Vertebrate Pest Conference; 1980 Mar 4; University of Nebraska, Lincoln. p. 40.
[6]Berny P, Caloni F, Croubels S, Sachana M, Vandenbroucke V, Davanzo F, Guitart R. Animal poisoning in Europe. Part 2: companion animals. Vet J. 2010;183(3):255-9.
[7]Perper JA. Fatal strychnine poisoning -- a case report and review of the literature. J Forensic Sci. 1985;30(4):1248-55.
[8]Probst A, Cortes R, Palacois JM. The distribution of glycine receptors in the human brain. A light microscopic autoradiograhic study using [3H] strychnine. Neuroscience. 1986;17(1):11-35.
[9]Teitelbaum DT, Ott JE. Acute strychnine intoxication. Clin Toxicol. 1970;3(2):267-73.
[10]Teitelbaum DT, Ott JE. Acute strychnine intoxication. Clin Toxicol. 1970;3(2):267-73.
[11]Heiser JM, Daya MR, Magnussen AR, Norton RL, Spyker DA, Allen DW, Krasselt W. Massive strychnine intoxication: serial blood levels in a fatal case. J Toxicol Clin Toxicol. 1992;30(2):269-83
[12]Boyd RE, Brennan PT, Deng JF, Rochester DF, Spyker DA. Strychnine poisoning: recovery from profound lactic acidosis, hyperthermia and rhabdomyolysis. Am J Med. 1983;74(3):507-12.
[13]Smith BA. Strychnine poisoning. J Emerg Med. 1990;8(3):321-5.
[14]Hosseini M, Malekpour A, Khoshnoud R, Abbasinia H, Gholamzadeh S, Tarian T, Hashemi A. Fatal cases of strychnine ingestion referred to Fars Legal Medicine Organization; autopsy findings and analytical methods used in strychnine detection. Trends Pharm Sci. 2017;3(3):209-14.
[15]Miveiyan M. Investigation of Suicides and their causes in Kermanshah province. Ghanonyar J Civ Leg Sci. 2017;3(3):99-117. [Persian]
[16]Kordrostami R, Akhgari M, Ameri M, Ghadipasha M, Aghakhani K. Forensic toxicology analysis of self-poisoning suicidal deaths in Tehran, Iran; trends between 2011-2015. Daru. 2017;25(1):15.