rifampin and Coma

Topics: Coma; Humans; Myxedema; Rifampin; Thyroxine

p-Chloroaniline is more potent at producing methemoglobin than aniline in animal models. This case highlights the clinical presentation of an inhalation exposure to p-chloroaniline and associated laboratory analysis. An in-vitro study evaluating the metabolism of p-chloroaniline in human hepatocytes was undertaken to evaluate the metabolic fate more closely.. A 20 year-old man was working at a chemical waste plant when he developed dizziness, abdominal pain, and nausea. The exam was remarkable for coma, tachycardia, cyanosis, and pulse oximetry of 75%. Arterial blood gases showed a pH 7.38, pCO(2) 41 mmHg, pO(2) 497 mmHg, bicarbonate 24 mEq/L and methemoglobin 69%. Methylene blue administration led to complete recovery without sequelae. p-Chloroaniline was later identified as the chemical involved. He denied direct contact with the chemical, but was not wearing a dust mask or respirator. GC/MS confirmed p-chloroaniline and metabolites in the patient's urine.. Human hepatocytes were incubated with 100 microM p-chloroaniline for 24 hours, in both rifampicin- and vehicle only-treated cells. The cell culture medium was collected for GC/MS analysis for p-chloroaniline metabolites.. Similar to the patient sample, both p-chloroaniline and p-chloroacetanilide were identified by GC/MS in hepatocytes incubated with p-chloroaniline. Neither p-chloroaniline incubated in empty cell culture nor direct GC/MS injection of p-chloroaniline generated any p-chloroacetanilide via non-enzymatic degradation.. The seemingly innocuous dermal and inhalation exposure to p-chloroaniline dust can lead to life-threatening methemoglobinemia. The diagnosis can be confirmed with GC/MS analysis of the patient's urine, searching for p-chloroaniline and its primary metabolite p-chloroacetanilide.

Topics: Abdominal Pain; Acetanilides; Air Pollutants; Aniline Compounds; Antidotes; Bicarbonates; Cells, Cultured; Clinical Laboratory Techniques; Coma; Cyanosis; Dizziness; Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; Hepatocytes; Humans; Inhalation Exposure; Male; Methemoglobin; Methemoglobinemia; Methylene Blue; Nausea; Occupational Exposure; Oximetry; Rifampin; Tachycardia; Toxicology; Young Adult

Topics: Accidents, Traffic; Adult; Benzodiazepines; Coma; Female; Humans; Rifampin

Topics: Chronic Disease; Coma; Dactinomycin; Daunorubicin; Dexamethasone; Encephalomyelitis; Fever; Headache; Humans; Idoxuridine; Leukopenia; Meningitis, Viral; Mental Disorders; Pain; Paralysis; Respiratory Insufficiency; Rifampin; Vomiting