Question Of The Day

An unknown chemical smells like shoe polish. What is the likely toxin? Nitrobenzene. Takematsu M and Chiang WK. Otolaryngologic Principles In: Goldfranks Toxicologic Emergencies; 11th edition. Chapter 25. Table 25-1.

Rubber chemical manufacturing plant workers have had higher rates of this type of cancer. What is the suspected toxins causing this higher incidence of cancer? Workers chronically exposed to o-toluidine, aniline and nitrobenzene were found to have a higher incidence of bladder cancer compared to…

Historically, infants developed methemoglobinemia from aniline dye. What was the source of their exposure to aniline? Aniline dye was historically used as a diaper marking dye. The first cases of dusky newborns was reported in 1886 and the use of aniline as a dye on…

What is the major metabolite of aniline?   4 healthy male volunteers were given 5 mg isotope-labeled aniline to evaluate the metabolism and excretion kinetics. N-acetyl-4-aminophenol was the predominant urinary aniline metabolite. Modick H et al. Human metabolism and excretion kinetics of aniline after a…

What is this chemical?   Aniline. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aniline

A recent animal model has shown promise for treatment of botulism. What is the new strategy being investigated? A recent paper published in Science Magazine reveals promising results of studies in mice, guinea pigs and monkey of engineered botulinum toxin to a small antibody, derived…

A 55 year old male with end stage renal disease presents with thickening and induration of the skin that began on the lower extremities and spread to the trunk and upper extremities. He had an MR angiography performed approximately 14 days prior. What is the…

Phenazopyridine is metabolized to this metabolite that is presumed to play a contributory role for persistent, recurring methemoglobinemia after large doses of phenazopyridine. Aniline. After therapeutic doses, approximately 8% of phenazopyridine is metabolized to aniline. However, in overdoses, these authors theorize that this percentage is…

This excipient is believed to be the cause of lactic acidosis after chronic topical application of silver suladiazene.   Propylene Glycol. Willis MS et al. Persistent lactic acidosis after chronic topical application of silver sulfadiazine in a pediatric burn patient: a review of the literature….

What hematologic toxicity may result from the use of henna?   A recent case describes profound hemolysis in an elderly gentleman who had been prescribed henna powder dissolved in water for a GI ailment. Subsequent testing after recovery demonstrated normal G6PD activity. Naturally occurring henna…