Acute fatal DDS poisoning. (Report of 4 cases). 1979

S K Sahoo, and N Tripathy, and B P Debi

Acute dapsone poisoning is rare and such cases are either accidental or suicidal. Though accidental DDS poisoning are reported in children, the same is fairly uncommon in adults. Only 2 such cases are reported in India literature. We here report 4 cases of fatal sucidial DDS poisoning in adults resulting death in 3 cases. The reported acute symptoms include nausea, vomiting, hyperexcitability followed by depression, Carpopedal spasm or convulsions. The most marked signs are dyspnoea and cyanosis. The symptoms are due to methaemoglobinaemia, and or sulphaemoglobinaemia. Normally dapsone induces red cell haemolysis and even with small therapeutic doses of 25-100 mg per day, and in toxic doses reduces the oxygen carrying capacity of blood and damages the red cells making them more vulnerable for haemolysis. The peculiarity of the presentation in this series are manifestation of severe haemorrhagic episode in one case and progressive jaundice in another besides cyanosis. None of the cases had carpopedal spasm or convulsion. Out of four cases three died inspite of intensive care, intravenous vitamin C, exchange transfusion (2 cases) and other supportive measures. Intravenous methylene blue could not be used in these cases due to non-availability.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008297 Male Males
D008875 Middle Aged An adult aged 45 - 64 years. Middle Age
D003622 Dapsone A sulfone active against a wide range of bacteria but mainly employed for its actions against MYCOBACTERIUM LEPRAE. Its mechanism of action is probably similar to that of the SULFONAMIDES which involves inhibition of folic acid synthesis in susceptible organisms. It is also used with PYRIMETHAMINE in the treatment of malaria. (From Martindale, The Extra Pharmacopoeia, 30th ed, p157-8) Diaminodiphenylsulfone,Sulfonyldianiline,4,4'-Diaminophenyl Sulfone,Avlosulfone,DADPS,Dapsoderm-X,Dapson-Fatol,Diaphenylsulfone,Disulone,Sulfona,4,4' Diaminophenyl Sulfone,Sulfone, 4,4'-Diaminophenyl
D005260 Female Females
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000208 Acute Disease Disease having a short and relatively severe course. Acute Diseases,Disease, Acute,Diseases, Acute
D000293 Adolescent A person 13 to 18 years of age. Adolescence,Youth,Adolescents,Adolescents, Female,Adolescents, Male,Teenagers,Teens,Adolescent, Female,Adolescent, Male,Female Adolescent,Female Adolescents,Male Adolescent,Male Adolescents,Teen,Teenager,Youths
D000328 Adult A person having attained full growth or maturity. Adults are of 19 through 44 years of age. For a person between 19 and 24 years of age, YOUNG ADULT is available. Adults
D013405 Suicide The act of killing oneself. Suicides

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