Environmental/Toxic Flashcards
2 possible causes of acute hepatic necrosis with xylitol toxicity?
ATP depletion
Increased generation of ROS
Cocaine MOA
Inhibits presynaptic neuronal uptake of dopamine, NE, and serotonin = enhanced sympathetic transmission (tachycardia, arrhythmias, hypertension) & CNS (excitement & euphoria)
Blocks fast sodium channels = local anesthetic activity
Toxin in mountain laurel (rhododendron) and MOA
grayanotoxins: bind sodium channels in excitable cell membranes of nerve, heart, skeletal muscle which increases membrane permeability of sodium ions in the excitable membranes, thus maintaining the cells in the state of depolarization
N-acetylcysteine MOA?
Increased synthesis and availability of glutathione (NAC –> cysteine)
For acetaminophen:
Substrate for sulfation (less toxic metabolites)
Direct binding and detoxification of NAPQI
MOA of anticoagulant rodenticide
Inhibits vitamin K epoxide reductase which is needed to convert inactive vitamin K to active vitamin K
What is the difference between first and second generation anticoagulant rodenticides?
Second generation products are longer acting so vitamin K therapy should be continued for at least 4 weeks
MOA of bromethalin rodenticide
Uncoupling of oxidative phosphorylation with a resultant decrease in ATP production. Decrease in cellular energy leads to inability of the Na/K-ATPase pump to function. This leads to a buildup of intracellular sodium followed by water movement into the cells and resultant cerebral edema and elevated intracranial pressure.
MOA of zinc phosphide rodenticide
Once it comes into contact with gastric acid it is hydrolyzed to phosphine gas and free radicals. When it is ingested with food there is enhanced susceptibility to zinc phosphide due to increased gastric acid.
Phosphine gas disrupts mitochondrial respiration as well as produces free radicals such as reactive oxygen species
Describe the pathophysiology of carbon monoxide poisoning
Carbon monoxide competitively and reversibly binds to hemoglobin at the same sites as oxygen but with an affinity that is 230-270 times greater, resulting in marked anemic, hypoxia.
Carboxyhemoglobin shifts the oxygen-hemoglobin dissociation curve to the left, resulting in less offloading at the tissue level.
How does hydrogen cyanide cause toxicity?
It interferes with utilization of oxygen by cellular cytochrome-oxidase and thereby causes histotoxic hypoxia.
Describe some of the changes to the respiratory tract that can be seen with smoke inhalation
Direct thermal injury can cause mucosal edema, of which laryngeal edema is of greatest concern.
Noxious gases can be inhaled (or gases are converted to acids within the respiratory tract).
Decreased lung compliance due to alveolar atelectasis due to impaired pulmonary surfactant activity as well as pulmonary edema.
Progressive mucosal edema can cause mucosal sloughing.
Smoke inhalation can cause a reflex bronchoconstriction which may worsen airway obstruction.
How does smoke inhalation increase the likelihood of bacterial pneumonia?
It may impair alveolar macrophage function. There are also stagnant luminal contents which create a favorable environment for bacteria.
What are the three possible outcomes in pure, uncomplicated carbon monoxide poisoning?
- complete recovery with possible transient hearing loss but no permanent effects.
- recovery with permanent central nervous system abnormalities
- death
Hyperemia of the mucous membranes in a case of smoke inhalation can be caused by what?
carboxyhemoglobinemia
cyanide toxicosis
systemic vasodilation
local vasodilation due to mucosal irritation
Why is oxygen supplementation beneficial in carbon monoxide poisoning?
the half-life of CO is 250 minutes i patients with normal respiratory exchange breathing room air, but is reduced to 26-148 minutes at an FiO2 of 100%.
How is cyanide toxicity treated?
IV sodium nitrite followed by IV sodium thiosulfate.
In the case of smoke inhalation, sodium thiosulfate should be used alone as sodium nitrite results in the formation of methemoglobin which could further compromise oxygen carrying ability
Describe some of the treatments for airway management following smoke inhalation
Tracheostomy if laryngeal obstruction
Empiric bronchodilators
Supplemental humidified oxygen which regular saline nebulization and coupage
Gentle activity is encouraged
Mucolytics may be used
True or false, mycoplasma species lack a cell wall
True, all members of the class lack a cell wall, thus they are damaged easily outside the host, and are difficult to identify with most staining techniques
In what locations are nonhemotropic mycoplasma infections found?
Respiratory tract, ocular, urogenital, nervous system, and systemically
True or false, mycoplasma are considered normal flora of the UPPER respiratory tract in dogs and cats
True
For the lower respiratory tract, they have been isolated from the lungs of healthy dogs buts not healthy cats
Why are ureaplasmas (a form of mycoplasma) found more commonly in the urogenital tract?
They require urea for a carbon source
True or false, mycoplasma has been found to cause disease in the lower urinary tract in cats
False, because of the lack of a cell wall, mycoplasma is at a high risk for osmotic damage from highly concentrated feline urine
What is the gold standard for diagnosis of a nonhemotropic mycoplasma infection?
Cultures
As the organism is slow growing it may be difficult to culture, it may require special growth media and transport
What are the benefits of PCR over culture for diagnosis of nonhemotropic mycoplasma infection?
Has improved sensitivity over culture, able to identify nonviable organisms, faster results