Acute arsenic poisoning: absence of polyneuropathy after treatment with 2,3-dimercaptopropanesulphonate (DMPS).

Journal article

Two men aged 19 and 21 years ingested 1 g and 4 g respectively from 3 kg of a white crystalline powder that they thought was a substance of abuse. It was later identified as almost pure arsenic trioxide. Both had nausea and vomiting and one developed acute renal failure. Each was treated with 2,3-dimercaptopropanesulphonate (DMPS), and made a full recovery with no evidence of prolonged renal or neurological impairment. The DMPS-arsenic complex is probably associated with lower penetration into the CNS and as a consequence treatment with DMPS may result in lower acute and chronic neurotoxicity than treatment with the currently standard recommended chelating agent dimercaprol (British Anti-Lewisite; BAL).

Authors: Moore, D; O'Callaghan, C; Berlyne, G; Ogg, C; Davies, H

• Publication status: Published
• Journal: Journal of neurology, neurosurgery, and psychiatry
• Volume: 57
• Issue: 9
• Pages: 1133-1135
• Publication date: 1994-09-01
• DOI: 10.1136/jnnp.57.9.1133
• EISSN: 1468-330X
• ISSN: 0022-3050
• Language: English
• Keywords: Adult; Peripheral Nervous System Diseases; Arsenic Poisoning; Acute Disease; Male; Humans; Unithiol