Citation

Isono O, Kituda A, Fujii M, Yoshinaka T, Nakagawa G, Suzuki Y. Toxicol. Lett. 2018; 293: 9-15.

Affiliation

Department of Neurology, Usioda General Hospital, Yokohama, Japan.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2018, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.toxlet.2018.04.017

PMID

29702200

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 (CVR-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.

Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Language: en

Keywords

Autonomic nervous system; Chemical Warfare Agents; Lewisite; Neurocognitive dysfunction; PTSD; Sulfur mustard