Citation

Carvalho JA, Boavida L, Ferreira R, Favas C, Alves JD. Eur. J. Case Rep. Intern. Med. 2021; 8(9).

Copyright

(Copyright © 2021, SMC Media)

DOI

10.12890/2021_002785

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Acute copper toxicity is uncommon in Western countries and is often the result of accidental consumption or a suicide attempt. We report the case of a 65-year-old man presenting to the accident and emergency department after a suicide attempt with ingestion of Bordeaux mixture, ibuprofen, acetaminophen and bleach. Primary evaluation showed caustic oesophagitis, toxic hepatitis and acute renal injury, which were treated with supportive care. During admission, he developed a non-immune haemolytic anaemia associated with high levels of copper in urine and blood. Chelation treatment with penicillamine was started and evolution was favourable after 1 month of treatment. Copper poisoning can be lethal. Prompt diagnosis and treatment are key for a favourable prognosis. European Journal of Case Reports in Internal Medicine © EFIM 2021

Language: en

Keywords

human; Toxicology; male; aged; case report; abdominal pain; methemoglobinemia; suicide attempt; intoxication; fatigue; clinical article; stomach lavage; emergency ward; paracetamol; fluid therapy; hemodynamics; urinalysis; endoscopy; alanine aminotransferase; aspartate aminotransferase; liver injury; penicillamine; creatinine; urea; copper; ibuprofen; dyspnea; nausea and vomiting; esophagitis; hemolytic anemia; lactate dehydrogenase; iron deficiency anemia; chelation; pantoprazole; toxic hepatitis; kidney injury; hemolysis; mean corpuscular volume; Article; hemoglobin; arterial gas; jaundice; bilirubin; arterial oxygen tension; heavy metal poisoning; ferritin; transferrin; arterial carbon dioxide tension; Copper poisoning; bleaching agent; copper blood level; haptoglobin; Coombs test; body weight loss; non small cell lung cancer; amaranth; ceruloplasmin blood level; Non-immune haemolytic anaemia; transferrin saturation