Background: Poisoning is a growing potential threat to the Egyptian community. The Poison Control Centre Ain Shams University Hospitals (PCCA) received 19 744 cases in the year 2012. The aim of this study is to portray the pattern of poisoning among cases admitted to (PCCA) in the year 2012 to evaluate the commonest poisoning causes, ways of management and outcomes during that year. Methods: Computerized data of a specially designed program comprised demographic in addition to clinical and management data of the poisoning cases received in PCCA in the year 2012. A descriptive analysis and statistics of the medical records is accomplished. Results: Overall, 19 744poison exposure cases were recorded. The largest poisoning affection was at the age group of 15-<25years accounting for 38.3% of total cases .Female poisoning predominate representing 55% of total cases. Attempted suicide was obviously more common representing 49.5% of total cases. Substances most frequently involved were food poisoning, organophosphate, household products and tramadol that obviously increase yearly over the last few years. Clinical severity according to Persson et al., (1998) was mild in (84.1%) of cases, moderate in 12.8% and severe in 3.1%. Seventy eight fatalities were recorded. Management of these cases was described. Conclusions: Special attention has been drawn towards increased attempted suicide in adolescents and early adulthood, the younger age of drug users and the progressive increase of some drugs of abuse.

Hydrogen cyanamide is an active ingredient of Dormex® used as a plant growth regulator. Reports of the acute toxic effects of hydrogen cyanamide are limited. The emerging problem of Dormex toxicity approximately started in Egypt since 1997 and led to many deaths. Therefore, the aim of this study was to illustrate acute toxic effects of hydrogen cyanamide. Subjects and Method: The study was carried out on hydrogen cyanamide intoxicated cases presented to the poison control center (PCC), Ain Shams University Hospitals in the period between January 2006 and December 2009. Symptoms, signs, laboratory investigations, and complications were recorded at the time of presentation. The study was conducted on 12 patients with acute Dormex toxicity in addition to 10 healthy individuals serving as control. Conclusion: Dormex is highly toxic and may cause serious poisoning with acute toxic effects on central nervous system, respiratory and cardiovascular systems, liver, kidney, and hematological system. So awareness of this complications and early aggressive treatment are recommended to reduce mortality.

All rights reserved. AbstractAn increasingly alarming phenomenon of tramadol abuse in Egypt has been demonstrated in the recent years. Although the issue of drug abuse is not a newly introduced issue to Egyptian society but the wide range of usage and illegal transactions associated with tramadol abuse making it the most easily accessible and readily provided drug at low cost. Aim of the work: is to highlight the magnitude of tramadol poisoning and its patterns during the year 2012. Interpretation of the poisoning data through an annual report would be essential to face continuously challenging hazards. Patients and methods: This study was carried out on 1581patients presented to the emergency department of the Poison Control Center, Ain Shams University Hospitals (PCCA)due to acute tramadol poisoning, in the period from 1, January 2012 to 31,December 2012.A descriptive analysis and statistics of the medical records is accomplished. Results: The majority of patients (54.6%) were between 19 and 30 years, with male predominance representing (79.8%)of the total presented cases. The majority of admitted patients (56.6%) were male drug addicts, followed by suicidal attempt in (26.6%).Co-ingestion of other drugs or agents was recorded in (16%) of admitted tramadol patients which increase toxicity significantly. The most frequent clinical manifestations in admitted tramadol patients were coma in (52%), Constricted pupil in (30%)and seizures in (17.5%). Respiratory failure was present in 12.6% of admitted patients. Death occurred in 14 cases (0.9%) of the presented cases. The main cause of death was acute respiratory failure.

Background: Respiratory failure is a common complication of poisoning with significant morbidity and mortality. Mechanical ventilation is life saving. Weaning is the process of liberating patient from mechanical ventilatory support. Interleukin-6 (IL-6) and C-reactive protein (CRP) are inflammatory mediators, released in response to many stressful conditions as weaning from mechanical ventilation.

Background: Volatile anaesthetics are the major pollutants in operating and recovery rooms of hospitals; where the health care personnel are exposed. Serious health effects may result from chronic exposure to low levels of anaesthetic gases inhalation. Aim of The study: The study was carried out to investigate the possible hepatic, renal, haematological and immune parameters alterations in a group of workers chronically exposed to volatile anaesthetic gases compared to a non-exposed control group. Subjects and Methods: Twenty-two operating room female nurses were recruited. The control group consisted of twenty-two non-exposed similar for gender and age. Each subject examined for Hepatic function: [levels of liver transaminases (Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), Gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT) and total Bilirubin]; Kidney function: [Blood urea nitrogen (BUN), serum creatinine]; Haematological profile [complete blood count (CBC)] and Immune phenotyping of peripheral blood lymphocytes measured by flow cytometry. Results: The exposed group showed an increased prevalence of headache, asthenia, gastritis, mouth herpes, allergic reactions, rhinitis, hypertension, arrhythmia, menstrual disorders, abortion, and infertility compared to control group. The hepatic and kidney function markers were highly significantly increased in exposed group compared to control. In addition, a statistically significant decrease in total white blood cells count (WBCs), Neutrophils percentage and a significant increase in lymphocyte percentage were found compared to control group. Furthermore, Cytotoxic T cell (CD8+/CD4-) and natural killer cells (NK) (CD19-/CD56+) percentages increased significantly, While percentages of T helper (CD8-/CD4+) cells and B lymphocytes (CD19+/CD 56-) significantly decreased compared to control group. There were non-significant difference in red blood cells count (RBC), haemoglobin, and platelet count. In conclusion female nurses chronically exposed to low level waste anaesthetic gases developed hepatic, renal, haematological and immune parameters alterations.