1/15. Occupational absorption of tellurium: a report of two cases.Industrial uses of tellurium are limited, and reported cases of tellurium absorption of occupational origin are rare. Two such cases are reported here. Both showed typical signs and symptoms of intoxication; in particular, the stench of sour garlic was noted on breath and from excreta. An unusual feature was the bluish-black discoloration of the webs of the fingers and streaks on the face and neck. Full hospital investigation was negative. No permanent damage resulted and each patient made a spontaneous recovery without treatment.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = black (Clic here for more details about this article) |
2/15. Acute mercury intoxication with lichenoid drug eruption followed by mercury contact allergy and development of antinuclear antibodies.A 31-year-old black man was examined for evaluation of a suspected occupational disease. Three years earlier he had been suffering from acute mercury intoxication during work in a mercury recycling factory. skin symptoms then had been a lichenoid drug eruption, patchy alopecia and stomatitis, which had all disappeared rapidly after systemic glucocorticosteroid treatment. The examination revealed positive patch test reactions to metallic mercury and inorganic mercury compounds, an elevated titre of serum antinuclear antibodies and normal IgE levels. The induction of antinuclear antibodies by mercury has been shown in animal experiments. It can be hypothesized that this patient, who may have had an increased individual susceptibility, became allergic to mercury by the mercury intoxication.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = black (Clic here for more details about this article) |
3/15. Occupational rhinoconjunctivitis from white pepper.A 44-year-old subject developed rhinoconjunctivitis symptoms when she was exposed to white pepper while working in the food industry. A positive skin prick test for white and black pepper extracts (1:10 w/v) were obtained. Specific IgE antibodies to white and black pepper were demonstrated by ELISA. The immunoblot analysis showed two IgE-reactive protein bands able to bind to IgE from white pepper extract of 11.8 kDa and 13.6 kDa and one band from black pepper extract of 11.8 kDa. IgE binding to blotted white and black pepper extract were inhibited by preincubation of patient serum with black pepper extract. A conjunctival provocation test was positive with a white pepper extract dilution of 1:100 w/v. We describe a patient with occupational rhinoconjunctivitis caused by hypersensitivity to white pepper.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 5keywords = black (Clic here for more details about this article) |
4/15. Collett's snake (Pseudechis colletti) envenoming in snake handlers.BACKGROUND: Collett's snake (Pseudechis colletti) is a member of the black snake genus and occurs in a warm temperate to sub-tropical region of central queensland, australia. There are no reports of bites occurring in the wild, and bites were previously thought to cause only minor effects. They are a popular snake among zoos and exotic snake keepers. AIM: To investigate the clinical effects of severe envenoming by Collett's snake, and possible treatment options. DESIGN: Case series. methods: Clinical and laboratory features are described for six bites, all in snake handlers. RESULTS: All six bites were from captive snakes, resulting in severe envenoming in four. Two patients were treated early with black snake antivenom, and only developed an anticoagulant coagulopathy and mild myolysis. Two developed anticoagulant coagulopathy and severe rhabdomyolysis associated with acute renal failure, requiring haemodialysis; both received antivenom >10 h after the bite, and initially received minimal fluid replacement. Other effects included thrombocytopenia, non-immune haemolytic anaemia and a marked leukocytosis. DISCUSSION: Collett's snake envenoming is characterized by early generalized systemic effects (nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhoea and headache) and an anticoagulant coagulopathy, followed in some cases by rhabdomyolysis and acute renal failure in untreated patients within 24 h. Early initiation of fluid therapy and treatment with black snake antivenom should be undertaken in all envenomed patients.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 3keywords = black (Clic here for more details about this article) |
5/15. Fatal hydrogen sulfide poisoning.Two cases of fatal hydrogen sulfide poisoning are described which occurred during cleaning of a tank that had transported polysulfides. The most characteristic findings of the autopsy were: a blackish-green pigmentation at macroscopic examination; pulmonary edema, steatosis, intrahepatic cholestasis and renal tubular necrosis at microscopic examination. The blood concentration of sulfide ions exceeded 3.5 mg/l. These cases are compared to others described in the literature. The preventive measures that should be adopted to avoid this type of poisoning are stressed.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = black (Clic here for more details about this article) |
6/15. myocardial infarction complicating dilated (congestive) cardiomyopathy in an industrial nitroglycerin worker. A case report.A 46-year-old black man employed in an explosives factory and in direct contact with industrial nitroglycerin complained of angina pectoris both at rest and with effort. Special investigations established the presence of dilated (congestive) cardiomyopathy (COCM), transmural anteroseptal and anterolateral myocardial infarction (MI), and total proximal occlusion of the left anterior descending branch of the left coronary artery. Apart from this total occlusion, the coronary arteries appeared free of disease on angiography. It is postulated that some of the episodes of angina pectoris at rest were related to industrial nitroglycerin withdrawal, and that the pathophysiological mechanism involved was coronary vasospasm leading to thrombus formation which culminated in MI, aggravating the congestive cardiac failure due to the COCM. It is less likely that this MI was caused by a coronary embolism originating from the mural thrombus in the left ventricle associated with COCM.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = black (Clic here for more details about this article) |
7/15. pathology of silicon carbide pneumoconiosis.silicon carbide is a widely used synthetic abrasive manufactured by heating silica and coke in electric furnaces at 2400 degrees C. Until recently it had been considered a relatively inert dust in humans and animals. However, several roentgenologic surveys had revealed lesions similar to low-grade silicosis. A recent epidemiological study has revealed a 35% incidence of pulmonary problems. tissues from three such workers were available for light microscopy. A mixed pneumoconiosis was found, and lesions can be summarized as follows: (a) abundance of intraalveolar macrophages associated with a mixture of inhaled particles including carbon, silicon, pleomorphic crystals, silicon carbide, and ferruginous bodies showing a thin black central core; (b) nodular fibrosis, generally profuse, containing silica and ferruginous bodies and associated with large amount of carbon pigment; (c) interstitial fibrosis, less prominent than the nodular form; (d) carcinoma in two cases. We believe this pneumoconiosis is sufficiently characteristic to be recognized as a distinct entity. The Stanton hypothesis on fiber properties and carcinogenesis could be applied to silicon carbide dust. At present, it appears that the occupational hazard is limited to the manufacturing process and powdered product used in some industries.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = black (Clic here for more details about this article) |
8/15. Chimney sweeper's disease revisited: first case reported in a black. Case report.We present a case of occupation-related carcinoma of the scrotum (chimney sweeper's disease) in a black man. The history of this disease is outlined.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 5keywords = black (Clic here for more details about this article) |
9/15. Quantitative x ray microanalysis of pulmonary mineral particles in a patient with pneumoconiosis and two primary lung tumours.The right upper lung lobe of a 74 year old man was resected for a central tumour. Two primary cancers were found; a central small cell carcinoma and a peripheral squamous cell carcinoma. In addition, the peripheral lung tissue showed generalised peribronchiolar fibrosis extending from the non-respiratory bronchioles to the level of the alveolar ducts. Abundant asbestos bodies and large amounts of black dust were seen around the bronchioles. Pulmonary mineral particles were studied by quantitative energy dispersive x ray microanalysis (EDS) using scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM). The x ray spectra for mineral particles were measured in thin sections, and the characteristic peak intensities of the elements were converted to weight fractions (in oxides). The results enabled the minerals present to be identified and their presence confirmed by calculating the mineral formula. These originated from nine natural minerals, anthophyllite and chrysotile asbestos, talc, and quartz, feldspars, and muscovite, which are components of sand, and also from two artificial mullites used in fire clay. The exposure history of the patient explained the most likely origins of the minerals detected. The patient had been a mason for 23 years, repairing and demolishing stoves and fireplaces and using asbestos for insulation work.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = black (Clic here for more details about this article) |
10/15. Baker's asthma (grain-dust-induced asthma).A 48-year-old black male with no underlying atopy developed asthma after working nine years at a bakery. The attacks of wheezing were preceded by nasal symptoms and usually occurred after several hours of work. skin testing revealed reactivity to dust, molds, and wheat extracts; serum level of IgE was normal, and a RAST screen to common allergens was negative. A bronchial provocation test using commercial wheat extract was negative, but the same test using the patient's own bakery flour resulted in an immediate positive reaction. The pathogenesis and management of grain-dust-induced asthma are discussed.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = black (Clic here for more details about this article) |
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