[Cutaneous and systemic toxicology of vesicants used in warfare].
Vesicants are a group of chemicals used in warfare. The most representative agent is yperite, also known as mustard gas. The blisters that appeared on those exposed to yperite during combat in the First World War are responsible for the current name--vesicants--for this group of chemicals. Their affects are produced mainly through localized action of liquid or vapor forms on the skin, eyes, and respiratory tract. However, the high absorption of the liquid form through the skin or the vapor form on inhalation may cause substantial systemic effects. Here we analyze these effects, treatment of intoxication, and long-term sequelae, drawing on our experience and a review of the literature.
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Departamento de Defensa Química, Escuela Militar de Defensa NBQ, Madrid, España. renepita@telefonica.net
Vidal-Asensi
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D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D000931:Antidotes / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002057:Burns, Chemical / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D002618:Chemical Warfare; D002619:Chemical Warfare Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000506:poisoning* / Q000633:toxicity; D002648:Child; D005060:Europe; D005126:Eye Burns / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D005767:Gastrointestinal Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced; D006801:Humans; D007492:Iran; D007493:Iraq; D007509:Irritants / Q000737:chemistry / Q000506:poisoning* / Q000633:toxicity; D008297:Male; D008887:Military Medicine; D009151:Mustard Gas / Q000737:chemistry / Q000506:poisoning / Q000633:toxicity; D010198:Pancytopenia / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000628:therapy; D011817:Rabbits; D012120:Respiration Disorders / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000628:therapy; D012640:Seizures / Q000139:chemically induced; D012867:Skin / Q000187:drug effects*; D013329:Structure-Activity Relationship
D000931:Antidotes; D002619:Chemical Warfare Agents; D007509:Irritants; D009151:Mustard Gas