Capsule of cyanide
Pro Research Analysisby 
Searched over 200M research papers
Cyanide Capsules: Mechanisms, Detection, and Poisoning Cases
Cyanide Capsule Poisoning: Clinical Manifestations and Case Studies
Cyanide poisoning, particularly from capsules, presents severe and often fatal outcomes. A notable case involved a patient who ingested a potassium cyanide capsule and survived for 37 hours before succumbing. This case highlighted unique clinical signs, including abnormal and reversible fundal appearances, and underscored the difficulty in identifying cyanide by smell2. Another significant incident occurred in Washington State in 1991, where cyanide-laced Sudafed-12 hour cold relief capsules led to three poisonings, two of which were fatal. These cases were linked to tampered over-the-counter medication, with one additional fatality occurring as a copy-cat incident3 6.
Detection Methods for Cyanide in Capsules and Containers
Detecting cyanide contamination in capsules and other containers is crucial for preventing poisoning. A sensitive and selective colorimetric method has been developed, which can detect cyanide at levels as low as a few parts per billion (ppb). This method can be applied in various ways, such as on safety seals of bottles, in syringes for sampling headspace gas, or in desiccant containers within bottles of capsules. The reaction is rapid, taking just a few seconds for headspace gas and less than an hour for permeation through capsules. This method is robust against interference from substances like hydrogen sulfide and ammonia, which affect other cyanide tests4.
Mechanisms of Cyanide Toxicity and Physiological Impact
Cyanide exerts its toxic effects by inhibiting cellular respiration. It binds to cytochrome aa3, leading to a rapid blockade of cellular respiration and subsequent accumulation of lactate, resulting in lactic acidosis. This condition is a hallmark of acute cyanide poisoning. In a documented case, a patient who ingested a potassium cyanide capsule experienced rapid onset of apnea and cardiac arrest, necessitating immediate medical intervention5.
Cyanide Detection in Environmental and Industrial Contexts
Given cyanide's widespread use in various industries and its potential environmental release, accurate and rapid detection is essential. Fluorescence sensors using cyanobiphenyl-spiropyrane and -hemicyanine conjugates have been developed for detecting cyanide ions in organic and aqueous media. These sensors exhibit high selectivity and sensitivity, capable of detecting cyanide levels as low as 0.208 µM. Practical applications include smartphone imaging for on-site cyanide measurement and production of cotton kits and PSF capsules for convenient detection without complex instruments7.
Conclusion
Cyanide capsules pose significant health risks due to their potent toxicity and the challenges in detection and identification. Advances in detection methods, such as sensitive colorimetric and fluorescence sensors, are crucial for preventing poisoning and ensuring safety in both medical and industrial contexts. Understanding the clinical manifestations and mechanisms of cyanide toxicity further aids in managing and mitigating the effects of cyanide exposure.
Sources and full results
Most relevant research papers on this topic
Anion-Dependent Electron Transfer in the Cyanide-Bridged [Fe2Co2] Capsules.
Cyanide-bridged [Fe2Co2] capsules exhibit anion-dependent electron transfer, with distinct behavior attributed to long-range cooperative interactions and variable solvent-anion interactions.
Abnormal Fundal Appearances in a Case of Poisoning by a Cyanide Capsule
A unique capsule containing cyanide can cause reversible abnormal fundal appearances, highlighting the inability of most people to identify cyanide by smell.
Case ReportPoisonings associated with cyanide in over the counter cold medication in Washington State, 1991.
Cyanide poisonings in Washington State in 1991 were linked to Sudafed-12 hour cold relief capsules, with a copy-cat case occurring after extensive publicity.
Case ReportAsensitive, Selective, and Rapid Colorimetric Method to Determine Cyanide Contamination in Containers, Capsules, and Liquids
The new Konig colorimetric method is a sensitive, selective, and rapid method for determining cyanide contamination in containers, capsules, and liquids, with no interference from hydrogen sulfide and ammonia.
Relation between plasma lactate and blood cyanide concentrations in acute cyanide poisoning
Blood cyanide concentrations are related to plasma lactate concentrations in acute cyanide poisoning, suggesting that lactic acidosis may be a key factor in determining survival outcomes.
Case ReportCyanide poisonings associated with over-the-counter medication--Washington State, 1991.
SUDAFED 12-Hour capsules, marketed as a nasal congestion remedy, may cause acute cyanide poisoning, with two deaths in western Washington state in 1991.
Case ReportCyanobiphenyl-spiropyrane and -hemicyanine conjugates for cyanide detection in organic/aqueous media through reverse ICT direction: Their practical applications.
Cyanide detection using hybrid cyanobiphenyl-spiropyrane and -hemicyanine probes is highly selective and can be applied to on-site measurements without complex instruments.
The efficacy of superactivated charcoal in treating rats exposed to a lethal oral dose of potassium cyanide.
Superactivated charcoal effectively treats oral exposure of rats to lethal doses of potassium cyanide, reducing toxicosis and death rates.
Non-RCT
Animal StudyMETHYLENE BLUE SOLUTIONS IN POTASSIUM CYANIDE POISONING: REPORT ON CASES 2 AND 3
Intravenous methylene blue solution, 1 per cent, was administered and the patient recovered.
Case ReportReview article: Management of cyanide poisoning
Hydroxocobalamin and sodium thiosulphate are the antidotes of choice for cyanide poisoning due to their negligible adverse effects and their effectiveness in surviving cases.
Systematic Review
Highly Cited