Copper Sulphae Poisoning – a clinical case report

Authors

  • Susana Magalhães Serviço de Medicina do Hospital Distrital da Figueira da Foz, EPE
  • Pilar Fernandez Serviço de Medicina do Hospital Distrital da Figueira da Foz, EPE
  • Rosa Campins Serviço de Medicina do Hospital Distrital da Figueira da Foz, EPE
  • Isabel Bessa Serviço de Medicina do Hospital Distrital da Figueira da Foz, EPE
  • Fátima Guedes Serviço de Medicina do Hospital Distrital da Figueira da Foz, EPE
  • Teresa Monteiro Serviço de Medicina do Hospital Distrital da Figueira da Foz, EPE

Keywords:

copper, toxic hepatitis, haemolytic anaemia, penicillamine

Abstract

Copper, along with other elements, has a vital role at the cellular
and organic level, participating in important enzymatic reactions.
Acute toxicity is seldom seen, is usually accidental and potentially fatal. Frequently found in African countries, where copper
sulphate is used as an emetic, there are very few published or known cases in Portugal.
The authors describe a clinical case of severe toxic hepatitis,
haemolytic anaemia, encephalopathy, erosive gastroduodenitis
and rhabdomyolysis, in an 84 year-old patient, admitted after attempted suicide by voluntary ingestion of nearly 120 g of copper
sulphate. The complementary studies, treatment and evolution are reported.
The rarity of copper sulphate poisoning, and the scarse experience in using penicillamine in this situation, led us to report
this case.

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Published

2008-09-30

How to Cite

1.
Magalhães S, Fernandez P, Campins R, Bessa I, Guedes F, Monteiro T. Copper Sulphae Poisoning – a clinical case report. RPMI [Internet]. 2008 Sep. 30 [cited 2024 Nov. 22];15(3):177-81. Available from: https://revista.spmi.pt/index.php/rpmi/article/view/1473

Issue

Vol. 15 No. 3 (2008): Julho/ Setembro

Section

Case Reports

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