title: Intentional fatal metallic phosphide poisoning in a dog--a case report.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Metallic phosphides are extremely toxic pesticides that are regulated in their usage. Information concerning the impact of metallic phosphides on human health is abundant. Data regarding the clinical pathology of phosphide poisoning in humans or domestic and wild animals is largely incomplete with only a few cases of metallic phosphide poisoning being reported every year, especially in humans. For the majority of cases reported in dogs the data are vague or incomplete. Here we report a complete and detailed description of pathological changes in a case of intentional metallic phosphide poisoning in a dog including an exhaustive examination of the brain.
  
  
  METHODS
  A 1 year old, male, Belgian Shepherd crossbreed dog with a clean medical history and no observed clinical signs prior to death, was submitted for post mortem examination. The dog was found dead by the owner. Near the body a suspect mix of bread, fat and a blackish powder was found. The owner announced the authorities and submitted the animal and the possible bait for forensic examination. At necropsy, multisystemic necrotic and degenerative lesions were observed. Histological exam confirmed the presence of necrotic and degenerative lesions of variable severity in all of the examined organs. The toxicological forensic examination revealed the presence of the phosphine gas in the gastric content and the bait.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Metallic phosphide poisoning is a rarely reported entity, since the diagnosis of intentional poisoning with these compounds is a great challenge for forensic pathologists and toxicologists. To our knowledge, this is the first study describing the lesions completely in veterinary forensic toxicology. We assume that the toxic shows systemic endotheliotropism and damage of the endothelial cells responsible for the hemorrhagic lesions and for the secondary ischemic necrosis in various organs. This report will contribute to a better understanding of the pathogenesis in cases of acute metallic phosphide exposure in animals.
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Toxicology, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, 3-5 Mănăştur Street, 400372, Cluj-Napoca, Romania. nagyandras26@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Andras-Laszlo
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Nagy
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Sciences, Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, Basseterre, St. Kitts, West Indies. pompeibolfa@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Pompei
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Bolfa
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Production and Food Safety, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, 3-5 Mănăştur Street, 400372, Cluj-Napoca, Romania. m.mihaiufmv@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Marian
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mihaiu
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Pathology, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, 3-5 Mănăştur Street, 400372, Cluj-Napoca, Romania. cornel.catoi@usamvcluj.ro.
authors.forename: Cornel
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Catoi
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Toxicology, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, 3-5 Mănăştur Street, 400372, Cluj-Napoca, Romania. orosnadrian@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Adrian
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Oros
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Pathology, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, 3-5 Mănăştur Street, 400372, Cluj-Napoca, Romania. taulescumarian@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Marian
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Taulescu
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Pathology, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, 3-5 Mănăştur Street, 400372, Cluj-Napoca, Romania. flaviu_tabaran@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Flaviu
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Tabaran
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000473:pathology; D004285:Dogs; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D049429:Forensic Pathology; D053593:Forensic Toxicology; D008297:Male; D010720:Phosphines / Q000032:analysis / Q000506:poisoning*
chemical_list: D010720:Phosphines; C044646:phosphine