title: Investigation of biological samples for monofluoroacetate and Dichapetalum cymosum poisoning in southern Africa.
abstract: A need has existed for the accurate identification of monofluoroacetate (MFA) poisoning in southern Africa. The development of a new method for the determination of MFA has made the analysis of a variety of biological samples (n = 50) feasible. The method has been used in the laboratory over 24 months. Monofluoroacetate was present in 66% of samples from cases of suspected poisoning, reflecting the extent of the problem. Stability of MFA in samples was also determined so as to have a time-bound baseline for the acceptance of samples submitted. It was found that there was a decrease in the level of MFA and, after 14 days at room temperature, only 50% of the spiked dose could be identified. It is suggested that samples be analyzed within 7 days of mortality if they not kept frozen.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Onderstepoort, South Africa.
authors.forename: P P
authors.initials: PP
authors.lastname: Minnaar
authors.forename: R I
authors.initials: RI
authors.lastname: McCrindle
authors.forename: T W
authors.initials: TW
authors.lastname: Naudé
authors.forename: C J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Botha
mesh_terms: D000820:Animal Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000175:diagnosis; D000818:Animals; D002415:Cats; D002417:Cattle; D002853:Chromatography, Liquid / Q000379:methods*; D004285:Dogs; D004355:Drug Stability; D005463:Fluoroacetates / Q000032:analysis* / Q000506:poisoning*; D006801:Humans; D010939:Plant Poisoning / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D012378:Rodenticides / Q000032:analysis* / Q000506:poisoning*; D013019:South Africa / Q000453:epidemiology; D014018:Tissue Distribution
chemical_list: D005463:Fluoroacetates; D012378:Rodenticides; C014815:fluoroacetic acid