Retrospective data analysis of animal poisoning events in Liguria

First report on the occurrence of anticoagulant rodenticides toxicosis in nontarget animals in Thailand

BACKGROUND

Anticoagulant rodenticides (ARs) are widely used worldwide to control rodent populations, yet their toxicity to nontarget animal species, such as dogs and cats, raises significant concerns. Until now, there has been no information about the occurrence status of ARs toxicosis in Thailand. This study presents occurrence data on ARs poisoning in animal specimens analysed at the Department of Veterinary Pharmacology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University, Thailand. Data from January 1, 2018, to December 31, 2023, was collected retrospectively, focusing on confirmed ARs intoxication cases identified through chemical analysis using thin-layer chromatography (TLC) and spectrophotometry methods. Detailed information on animal species, ages, sex, and types of animal specimens analysed was included.

RESULTS

During the study period, 35 cases (63.6%) out of 55 tested positive for ARs. Dogs accounted for 77.1% of the ARs-positive cases. Notably, specimens from wild animals and exotic pets, including a turkey, a wild boar, a goose, and three Patagonian mara, were also tested positive for ARs poisoning. Both liver and stomach content specimens showed high agreement in ARs detection, suggesting the potential utility of stomach content analysis alongside liver specimens, which has not been previously reported.

CONCLUSIONS

This retrospective study underscores the risk of ARs toxicosis in nontarget species. TLC and spectrophotometry methods serve as reliable screening tools for confirming ARs intoxication diagnosis. This study provided a reference for future research on the epidemiology on ARs toxicosis among nontarget species.

Validation of a procedure for toxicants detection in baits and animal organs in case of suspected poisoning by using GC-MS and LC-MS/MS, as a part of systematic toxicological analysis based on 15 years of experience

The aim of this study was to describe a Systematic Toxicological Analysis (STA) procedure adopted for the determination of toxicants in baits or samples derived from suspected poisoned animals. Extraction and purification were based on a QuEChERS-like technique, while instrumental identification was conducted using both GC-MS and LC-MS/MS. The procedure was designed for the routine screening of 42 target toxicants, along with untargeted screening based on GC-MS with AMDIS program (Automated Mass Spectral Deconvolution and Identification System) and with ExcaliburTM software. Validation of the target toxicants was performed by calculating the limit of detection, specificity, matrix effect, and carry over, using fortified samples of liver, gastric content and sausage. Limits of detection ranged between 0.02 and 2.5 mg/Kg and no significant interfering peaks due to matrix were observed. Carry-over was noted at concentrations greater than tenfold 10 mg/L. The matrix effect was estimated for all the matrices, with the most significant effect observed for gastric content. The procedure was implemented in the laboratory to investigate authentic cases of animal poisoning, demonstrating that preliminary screening is crucial for reducing the criticalities such as response time and the suitability of analytes under investigation.

Retrospective analysis of animal poisoning in the province of Viterbo, Italy

Background

Intentional poisoning represents a serious health risk for domestic and wild animals, this phenomenon has been widespread in Italy for several years.

Aim

Our study aims to examine data on animal poisonings that occurred in the province of Viterbo, Lazio region located in central Italy, from 2003 to 2017. The aim of this study is to provide data on the poisoning of animals in the province of Viterbo.

Methods

A total of 1,078 cases of suspected poisoning were analysed during the period under review. Of these, 761 (70.6%) were carcasses, 189 (17.6%) were baits, 107 (9.9%) were gastric contents, and 21 (1.9%) were samples of various origins.

Results

A total of 631 cases (58.5%) were confirmed as involving toxic substances. Zinc phosphide (34.7%) was the most prevalent cause of poisoning, followed by metaldehyde (18.7%), a coumarin rodenticide (12.7%), other molecules were also identified with lower percentages. The animal species most frequently involved in poisoning are dogs (66.2%), followed by cats (25.5%), birds (4.9%), while wild animals, ruminants, and fish represent a small percentage of animals involved.

Conclusion

This phenomenon represents a significant threat to animals, humans, and the environment. Therefore, it is essential to implement effective measures to combat this issue.

The Determination of the Prohibited Herbicide 4,6-Dinitro-Ortho-Cresol (DNOC) in Poisoned Domestic and Wild Animals in Italy

This study reports the determination of DNOC in the baits and gastric contents of poisoned dogs and wild canids collected in the Abruzzo region between 2014 and 2022. A total of 663 samples of the baits and carcasses of domestic and wild animals were analyzed for the determination of DNOC through GC-MS. DNOC was found to be present in 58 cases from 663 analyzed samples, with 49 poison baits and nine gastric content samples from dogs and red foxes. This study confirms for the first time that the banned pesticide DNOC still poisons both domestic and wild animals in the Abruzzo region. It should be considered that this study was carried out on a population of animals from a regional geographical area, and more detailed country-wide studies need to be carried out to obtain the incidence of poisoning from this herbicide in Italy. Furthermore, these findings emphasize the importance of considering this chemical in differential diagnosis during toxicological investigations of animal poisoning.

Retrospective analysis of forensic toxicology data from 2021 to identify patterns of various forensic cases

PURPOSE

Knowing and analyzing the characteristics and trends of forensic toxicology cases in a certain area is particularly important for a local government to establish an effective prevention and control system. The purpose of this work was to summarize data from forensic toxicology cases received by the Academy of Forensic Sciences (AFS) in 2021.

METHODS

As requested by the police or according to the details of cases, samples were systematically screened or analyzed by various methods. Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry were used to identify medicinal drugs, drugs of abuse, pesticides, poison gases, etc. RESULTS: AFS received a total of 17,758 cases in 2021, of which 314 cases underwent autopsy. The main cause of death was sudden death, and the manner of death was mainly accident. Among 13,744 drug abuse cases, the number of positive cases was 1721, with a positive rate of 12.5%, and synthetic cannabinoids were the most frequently detected substances. In 3640 traffic cases, 85.3% of drivers were suspected of drunk driving. In 103 poisoning cases, hydrogen sulfide poisoning and pesticide suicide account for a large proportion. In drug-facilitated crimes, zolpidem was the most frequently tested component. In 55 case of dog poisonings, the main poisons were cyanides and succinylcholine, and the main poisoning tools were poisonous baits and poisonous syringe darts.

CONCLUSIONS

This study profiles the toxicological characteristics of forensic toxicological cases conducted at the AFS in 2021 and provides a scientific basis for poisoning cases and drug abuse prevention.

Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) Reversible Inhibitors: The Role of Oxamyl in the Production of Poisoned Baits

Oxamyl is a highly toxic carbamate molecule with toxicological risk from contamination, used as an insecticide, nematicide, and acaricide on many field crops, vegetables, fruits, and ornamentals. Suspected poisoned animals and baits were collected between January 2018 and August 2021 from Lombardy and Emilia-Romagna regions and analyzed at the chemical toxicology laboratory of the Experimental Zooprophylactic Institute of Lombardy and Emilia-Romagna, located in Brescia. The analyses were carried out by an ion trap GC-MS system in 2467 suspected samples and showed the presence of oxamyl in 67 of these. In this study, we analyzed 47 (out of 67) positive baits: the provinces in which more cases have been recorded are Mantua, Ferrara, and Cremona, which overall had 72% of positivity. The nature of the analyzed samples was mostly corn (55.3%), followed by bird carcasses (19.1%), apples (14.8%), meatballs (2.1%), bread (2.1%), and other (8.5%). The use of oxamyl to produce poisoned baits is constantly increasing, proving that it must be considered as a public health risk for the possible consequences on target and non-target organisms, including humans.

Asymptomatic Anticoagulant Rodenticide Exposure in Dogs and Cats—A French and Belgian Rural and Urban Areas Study

Anticoagulant rodenticides (ARs) are important tools for controlling rodent pests, but they also pose a health threat to non-target species. ARs are one of the most common causes of pet poisoning. However, exposure of domestic animals to subclinical doses of ARs is poorly documented. To study the random exposure of dogs and cats to ARs, feces from animals showing no clinical signs of rodenticide poisoning were collected from a network of French and Belgian veterinarians. We analyzed fresh feces from 304 dogs and 289 cats by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. This study showed a limited prevalence of AR exposure in dogs and cats of 2.6 and 4.5% respectively. In both species, access to the outdoors is a risk factor for ARs exposure. In contrast, the sex of the animals did not affect the ARs exposure status. The observation of the ratio of cis and trans isomers suggested primary exposure in dogs, but also in some cats. While primary exposure in dogs appears to be related to the use of ARs as plant protection products, primary exposure in cats may be malicious, as warfarin, an anticoagulant formerly used as a rodenticide and now used only in humans, was found in 4 of 13 exposed cats. Secondary exposure may also occur in cats.Our study showed reduced exposure in dogs and cats, compared to wildlife, which often has high exposure, especially in areas where rodent control is important.