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Long-term neurological and neuropsychological complications of sulfur mustard and Lewisite mixture poisoning in Chinese victims exposed to chemical warfare agents abandoned at the end of WWII.
- Source :
-
Toxicology Letters . Sep2018, Vol. 293, p9-15. 7p. - Publication Year :
- 2018
-
Abstract
- In August 2003, 44 victims were poisoned by chemical warfare agents (CWAs) leaked from five drums that were excavated at a construction site in Qiqihar, Northeast China. The drums were abandoned by the former Japanese imperial army during World War II and contained a mixture of Sulfur mustard (SM) and Lewisite. We carried out a total of six regular check-ups between 2006 and 2014, and from 2008 we added neurological evaluations including neuropsychological test and autonomic nervous function test in parallel with medical follow-up as much as was possible. Severe autonomic failure, such as hyperhidrosis, pollakiuria, diarrhoea, diminished libido, and asthenia appeared in almost all victims. Polyneuropathy occurred in 35% of the victims and constricted vision occurred in 20% of them. The rates of abnormal response on cold pressor test (CPT), active standing test (AST), Heart rate variability (CV R-R ), performed in 2014, were 63.1%, 31.6%, and 15.9%, respectively. On neuropsychological testing evaluated in 2010, a generalized cognitive decline was observed in 42% of the victims. Memories and visuospatial abilities were affected in the remaining victims. Finally, a 17-item PTSD questionnaire and the Beck Depression Inventory evaluated in 2014 revealed long-lasting severe PTSD symptoms and depression of the victims. Our findings suggest that an SM/Lewisite compound have significant adverse consequences directly in cognitive and emotional network and autonomic nervous systems in the brain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Subjects :
- *CHEMICAL warfare
*LEWISITE (Poison gas)
*MUSTARD gas
*NEUROPATHY
*HEART beat
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 03784274
- Volume :
- 293
- Database :
- Academic Search Index
- Journal :
- Toxicology Letters
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 129790677
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1016/j.toxlet.2018.04.017