Revista de Toxicología Clínica
Acceso abierto

abstracto

A Special Case of Fatal Chronic Poisoning by an Agricultural Pesticide of Freely Available Copper Sulphate Powder

Barbara Dóra Halasi, Áron Soós, János Posta, Beáta Ágnes Borsay, Attila Megyeri, Róbert Kristóf Pórszász,Péter Attila Gergely

The present case study illustrates the fatal consequences of chronic copper poisoning with an additional sulphur consumption as a chronic self-administration. These two elements were consumed with the goal of selftreatment of a presumed chronic Candida infection. The patient exposed himself for over eight years, which led to liver failure, weight loss, ascites and gastrointestinal bleeding. The patient was treated with D-penicillamine for chelation of copper without effectiveness. Despite intensive care, the patient succumbed to multi-organ failure. The autopsy revealed cirrhosis of the liver, oesophageal varices and a 'blackberry jam spleen'. Histological examination confirmed the presence of copper deposits in both the liver and kidney. Copper determination by mass spectrometry showed elevated levels in several organs, but particularly in the liver. The present case highlights the dangers inherent in the consumption of copper with sulphur and underlines the toxicological implications of copper and sulphur exposure.