Organic Irritants - Plant and Animal Poisons MCQs

Botulinum toxin impairs all types of cholinergic transmission, including transmission at ganglionic synapses and somatic motor nerve endings. Botulinum toxin prevents discharge of vesicular transmitter content from cholinergic nerve endings. All of the signs listed except cycloplegia indicate cholinomimetic action. Reference: Basic & Clinical Pharmacology, Fourteenth Edition By Bertram G. Katzung Pg no. 114

Krait: Signs and symptoms are similar to cobra poisoning, but less rapid. The signs and symptoms are Abdominal pain Ptosis Dysarthria Dysphagia Chest pain Quadriparesis Respiratory paralysis Death Common krait hunt nocturnally and are quick to bite people sleeping on the floor, often without waking their victims, since the venom is painless. Victims wake up early morning, paralyzed - mistaken for STROKE Option A: GBS will have a preceding history of diarrhoea 6 to 8 weeks before and will have ascending paralysis. Option B: Poliomyelitis will have gradual onset flaccid paralysis. Reference: Review of Forensic medicine and Toxicology, Gautam Biswas, 5 th edition, Page No. 581

The recommended initial dose of PASV is 8-10 vials administered slowly via IV route over a period of 1 hour Repeat doses for vasculotoxic species is based on the 6 hours rule (depending on the coagulation profile); the maximum recommended dose is 30 vials. Repeat doses for neurotoxicity is based on the 1-2 hours rule (depending on whether patients have not improved, or worsened); maximum dose is 20 vials. Antivenin treatment should be given, as soon as it is indicated. Ideally PASV should be administered within 4 hours, but effective even if it is given within 24 hours. Reference: Review of Forensic medicine and Toxicology, Gautam Biswas, 5 th edition, Page No. 584

Strychnine competitively blocks ventral horn motor neurone postganglionic receptor sites in the spinal cord and brainstem and prevents the effects of glycine (the presumed inhibitory transmitter). Widespread inhibition in the spinal cord results in 'release' excitation. The action is particularly noted in the anterior horn cells. It stimulates the cerebral cortex. GABA, the neurotransmitter for presynaptic inhibitory neurons is not affected. Reference: The Essentials of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology, KS Narayan Reddy, 35th edition, Page No. 466

Hemlock (Conium Maculatum) was administered to Socrates, the Greek Philosopher in 399 BC as a form of execution. Conium is a peripheral nerve poison which give rise to ascending paralysis. Reference: Review of Forensic medicine and Toxicology, Gautam Biswas, 5th edition, Page No. 696