Late confirmation of acute methyl bromide poisoning using S-methylcysteine adduct testing.
Methyl bromide poisoning is difficult to confirm because routine laboratory testing has not been reliable. Measurable levels of the parent agent are rapidly reduced, probably as a result of direct tissue chemical reaction. Serum bromide levels have been used as an indirect measure of exposure and/or toxicity but are inconsistent. Recently special testing has shown that protein adducts formed after exposure to methyl bromide may be a better measure of significant exposure. The S-methylcysteine adduct was used to confirm acute methyl bromide toxicity 10 weeks after an exposure. Additionally, genotyping of the glutathione-S-transferase TI enzyme in erthyrocytes from this case characterized a predisposition to the neurotoxic effects of methyl bromide.
Buchwald
A L
AL
Department of Emergency Medicine, Dominican Hospital/CHW, Santa Cruz, California 95063-2009, USA.
Müller
M
M
D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D001798:Blood Proteins / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D003545:Cysteine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000097:blood* / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D006842:Hydrocarbons, Brominated / Q000378:metabolism / Q000506:poisoning*; D008297:Male; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D011041:Poisoning / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000378:metabolism
D015415:Biomarkers; D001798:Blood Proteins; D006842:Hydrocarbons, Brominated; C005218:methyl bromide; C008425:S-methylcysteine; D003545:Cysteine