Long-Term Neurological and Neuropsychological Complications of Sulfur Mustard and Lewisite Mixture Poisoning in Chinese Victims Exposed to Chemical Warfare Agents Abandoned at the End of WWII.

Long-Term Neurological and Neuropsychological Complications of Sulfur Mustard and Lewisite Mixture Poisoning in Chinese Victims Exposed to Chemical Warfare Agents Abandoned at the End of WWII. Toxicol Lett. 2018 Apr 24;: Authors: Isono O, Kituda A, Fujii M, Yoshinaka T, Nakagawa G, Suzuki Y Abstract In August 2003, 44 victims were poisoned by chemical warfare agents (CWAs) leaked from five drums that were excavated at a construction site in Qiqihar, Northeast China. The drums were abandoned by the former Japanese imperial army during World War II and contained a mixture of Sulfur mustard (SM) and Lewisite. We carried out a total of six regular check-ups between 2006 and 2014, and from 2008 we added neurological evaluations including neuropsychological test and autonomic nervous function test in parallel with medical follow-up as much as was possible. Severe autonomic failure, such as hyperhidrosis, pollakiuria, diarrhoea, diminished libido, and asthenia appeared in almost all victims. Polyneuropathy occurred in 35% of the victims and constricted vision occurred in 20% of them. The rates of abnormal response on cold pressor test (CPT), active standing test (AST), Heart rate variability (CVR-R), performed in 2014, were 63.1%, 31.6%, and 15.9%, respectively. On neuropsychological testing evaluated in 2010, a generalized cognitive decline was observed in 42% of the victims. Memories and visuospatial abilities were affected in the remaini...
Source: Toxicology Letters - Category: Toxicology Authors: Tags: Toxicol Lett Source Type: research