Retrospective data analysis of animal poisoning events in Liguria

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.