A Challenge between Central Nervous System Infection and Lead Toxicity: Opioid Case Reports from Iran
Journal Title: Iranian Journal of Medical Sciences - Year 2019, Vol 44, Issue 2
Abstract
Although lead pollution has long been known as a cause of poisoning, it has remained a challenge to reliably diagnose it due to its common symptoms in various diseases. In this article, we report two cases of acute loss of consciousness due to the ingestion of opium-contaminated with lead. The reported cases share patterns of symptoms similar to meningitis and encephalitis which are usual etiology for the loss of consciousness. Lead poisoning is not a usual etiology for loss of consciousness and is considered in cases of occupational or environmental exposure. These reported cases showed a pattern similar to meningitis and encephalitis, but due to the unusual manifestations during their admission and coexistence with gastrointestinal symptoms, we were led to consider poisoning as the cause of consciousness loss. Lead poisoning often goes unrecognized due to a low index of suspicion, but it may turn out to be fatal. Therefore, it should be considered in the differential diagnosis of any neurobehavioral deficits in substance abusers.
Authors and Affiliations
Minoosh Shabani, Maryam Nasiri, Zohreh Aminzadeh, Hossein Hassanian Moghaddam
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP478444
- DOI -
- Views 84
- Downloads 0
Antidiabetic and Antidyslipidemic Activities of the Aqueous Extract of Cochlospermum planchonii Leaves in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats
Background: Diabetes mellitus is considered one of the 5 principal causes of death in the world and is recognized as a global public health issue because of its multifactorial facets affecting essential biochemical proce...
NDRG2 Regulates the Expression of Genes Involved in Epithelial Mesenchymal Transition of Prostate Cancer Cells
Background: Metastasis is the main cause of prostate cancer (PCa) death. The inhibitory effect of N-myc downstream-regulated gene 2 (NDRG2) on the invasiveness properties of PCa cells has been demonstrated previously. Ho...
Combination Effect of Caffeine and Caffeic Acid Treatment on the Oxidant Status of Ectopic Endometrial Cells Separated from Patients with Endometriosis
Background: Endometriosis is a common gynecological disease in which oxidative stress is a potential factor. Caffeine and caffeic acid are present in various foods and beverages with anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, and...
Inhibitory Effect of Bunium Persicum Hydroalcoholic Extract on Glucose-Induced Albumin Glycation, Oxidation, and Aggregation In Vitro
Background: Glucose-induced protein glycation has been implicated in the progression of diabetic complications and age-related diseases. The anti-glycation potential of polyphenol-rich plant extracts has been shown previ...
Combined Hydroxyapatite Scaffold and Stem Cell from Human Exfoliated Deciduous Teeth Modulating Alveolar Bone Regeneration via Regulating Receptor Activator of Nuclear Factor-Κb and Osteoprotegerin System
Background: Tissue engineering using Stem cell from Human Exfoliated Deciduous Teeth (SHED) and a natural biomaterials biomaterial scaffold has become a promising therapy for the alveolar bone defect. The aim of this stu...