Citation

Nastoulis E, Karakasi MV, Couvaris CM, Kapetanakis S, Fiska A, Pavlidis P. Forensic Sci. Rev. 2017; 29(1): 77-91.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2017, Central Police University Press)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

28119268

Abstract

A literature review of cases of acute poisoning by copper sulfate was conducted, emphasizing therapeutic interventions, and a new fatality case is reported. Specifically, the relevant literature was reviewed for incidence rates, sociodemographic variables, pathophysiology, diagnosis, prognosis, and therapeutic outcome of copper sulfate poisoning.

RESULTS conclude that copper sulfate poisoning incidence varies in different regions. It is rare in western countries, while it is very common in South Asian countries. The majority of patients belong to rural populations and are males in the third decade of their lives. The lethal dose of ingested copper is considered to be 10-20 g; 14-36% of the patients pass away within a few hours of ingestion, while the average hospitalization time is more than 20 days. The clinical features of copper sulfate poisoning include erosive gastropathy, intravascular hemolysis, methemoglobinemia, hepatitis, and acute kidney injury. The therapeutic management focuses on absorption reduction, close observation for complications, supportive therapy, and chelation therapy.

Language: en

Keywords

Humans; Male; suicide; Suicide; Aged, 80 and over; Stomach; poisoning; depression; Pesticides; forensic pathology; pesticide; forensic science; copper sulfate; Acute; legal medicine; Copper Sulfate; blue vitrio; bluestone; cupric sulfate