Diphenylarsinic acid poisoning from chemical weapons in Kamisu, Japan.
We noted a new clinical syndrome with prominent cerebellar symptoms in apartment building residents in Kamisu, Japan. The well that provided drinking water contained diphenylarsinic acid, a degradation product of diphenylcyanoarsine or diphenylchloroarsine, which were developed for use as chemical weapons, inducing severe vomiting and sneezing. Characteristics of diphenylarsinic acid poisoning include brainstem-cerebellar and cerebral symptoms. Mental retardation associated with brain atrophy in magnetic resonance images was evident in some infants. We must be vigilant to prevent or minimize the effects of further diphenylarsinic acid poisoning in Japan or elsewhere.
Ishii
Kazuhiro
K
Department of Neurology, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan. kazishii@md.tsukuba.ac.jp
Tamaoka
Akira
A
Otsuka
Fujio
F
Iwasaki
Nobuaki
N
Shin
Kenji
K
Matsui
Akira
A
Endo
Ginji
G
Kumagai
Yoshito
Y
Ishii
Tetsuro
T
Shoji
Shin'ichi
S
Ogata
Tsuyoshi
T
Ishizaki
Mutsuo
M
Doi
Mikio
M
Shimojo
Nobuhiro
N
D000328:Adult; D020261:Arsenic Poisoning / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D001152:Arsenicals / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001927:Brain Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D002619:Chemical Warfare Agents / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry / Q000506:poisoning*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008607:Intellectual Disability / Q000209:etiology; D007564:Japan; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014877:Water Pollution, Chemical / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis*
D001152:Arsenicals; D002619:Chemical Warfare Agents; C493087:diphenylarsinic acid