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Liu YC, Zhou ZK, Yu MM, Wang LJ, Shou ST, Chai YF. Colchicine poisoning: Case report of three homicides in a family. Heliyon 2024; 10:e32407. [PMID: 38947441 PMCID: PMC11214350 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e32407] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2024] [Revised: 06/03/2024] [Accepted: 06/03/2024] [Indexed: 07/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Colchicine is a common therapeutic agent for inflammatory conditions such as gout, yet its narrow therapeutic range frequently results in cases of overdose and subsequent poisoning. Acute colchicine poisoning can be difficult to identify due to its nonspecific clinical manifestations, posing a diagnostic challenge for emergency physicians without a clear history of colchicine ingestion. Case presentation This report describes a tragic case of acute colchicine poisoning that resulted in three familial homicides. The patients presented with fever, abdominal pain, and diarrhea, which rapidly escalated to shock during their emergency department visits. Laboratory tests revealed a marked leukocytosis, mild elevation in procalcitonin (PCT), significantly elevated creatine kinase (CK) and CK-MB levels, and liver function abnormalities. Despite treatment with carbapenem antibiotics and aggressive fluid resuscitation, the patients' condition deteriorated, marked by a progressive decline in leukocytes and neutrophils. Initially misdiagnosed as septic shock, the ineffectiveness of the standard treatment protocols led to a fatal outcome for all three individuals. Conclusion Emergency physicians should consider acute colchicine poisoning as a differential diagnosis in patients presenting with shock and the following clinical indicators: (1) pronounced increase in peripheral leukocytes with a disproportionate rise in neutrophils; (2) discordance between the level of serum procalcitonin and the severity of presumed septic shock; (3) early increase in serum creatine kinase (CK) and CK-MB; (4) poor response to antibiotics and resuscitative efforts, accompanied by a continuous decrease in white blood cells and neutrophils. This case underscores the critical need for awareness of colchicine toxicity in the emergency setting, particularly when the clinical presentation mimics septic shock but fails to respond to standard treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan-Cun Liu
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, 300052, China
| | - Zi-Kang Zhou
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, 300052, China
| | - Mu-Ming Yu
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, 300052, China
| | - Li-Jun Wang
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, 300052, China
| | - Song-Tao Shou
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, 300052, China
| | - Yan-Fen Chai
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, 300052, China
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Pankow A, Krusche M. [The most frequent febrile syndromes and autoinflammatory diseases in adulthood]. Z Rheumatol 2024; 83:363-375. [PMID: 38802504 DOI: 10.1007/s00393-024-01522-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/24/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024]
Abstract
Autoinflammatory diseases are characterized by inflammatory manifestations in various organ systems, whereby recurrent febrile episodes, musculoskeletal complaints, gastrointestinal and cutaneous symptoms frequently occur accompanied by serological signs of inflammation. Autoinflammatory diseases include rare monogenic entities and multifactorial or polygenic diseases, which can manifest as a variety of symptoms in the course of time. Examples of monogenic autoinflammatory diseases are familial Mediterranean fever (FMF), cryopyrin-associated periodic syndrome (CAPS), tumor necrosis factor (TNF) receptor-associated periodic syndrome (TRAPS) and the recently described VEXAS (vacuoles, E1 enzyme, X‑linked, autoinflammatory and somatic) syndrome. For non-monogenically determined autoinflammatory diseases, the most important representatives in adulthood are adult-onset Still's disease (AOSD) and the Schnitzler syndrome, in which a polygenic susceptibility and epigenetic factors are more likely to play a role.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne Pankow
- Medizinische Klinik mit Schwerpunkt Rheumatologie und klinische Immunologie, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Deutschland.
- Ambulanz für seltene entzündliche Systemerkrankungen mit Nierenbeteiligung, Abteilung für Nieren- und Hochdruckerkrankungen, Medizinische Hochschule Hannover Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1, 30625, Hannover, Deutschland.
| | - Martin Krusche
- Nephrologie, Rheumatologie, Endokrinologie, III. Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik, Martinistr. 52, 20251, Hamburg, Deutschland
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Bonnekoh H, Krusche M, Feist E, Wagner AD, Pankow A. [Autoinflammatory syndromes]. Z Rheumatol 2023; 82:678-687. [PMID: 37672064 DOI: 10.1007/s00393-023-01428-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/07/2023]
Abstract
The concept of autoinflammation includes a heterogeneous group of monogenic and polygenic diseases. These are characterized by excessive activation of the innate immune system without antigen-specific T cells or autoantibodies. The diseases are characterized by periodic episodes of fever and increased inflammation parameters. Monogenic diseases include familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) and the newly described VEXAS (vacuoles, E1 enzyme, X‑linked, autoinflammatory, somatic) syndrome. Heterogeneous diseases include adult-onset Still's disease and Schnitzler syndrome. Treatment is aimed at preventing the excessive inflammatory reaction in order to avoid long-term damage, such as amyloid A (AA) amyloidosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanna Bonnekoh
- Institut für Allergieforschung, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Hindenburgdamm 27, 12203, Berlin, Deutschland
- Allergologie und Immunologie, Fraunhofer-Institut für Translationale Medizin und Pharmakologie (ITMP), Berlin, Deutschland
| | - Martin Krusche
- III. Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik für Nephrologie, Rheumatologie und Endokrinologie, Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistraße 52, 20251, Hamburg, Deutschland
| | - Eugen Feist
- Klinik für Rheumatologie, Helios Fachklinik Vogelsang-Gommern, Sophie-von-Boetticher-Straße 1, 39245, Vogelsang, Deutschland
| | - Annette Doris Wagner
- Ambulanz für seltene entzündliche Systemerkrankungen mit Nierenbeteiligung, Abteilung für Nieren- und Hochdruckerkrankungen, Medizinische Hochschule Hannover, Carl-Neuberg-Straße 1, 30625, Hannover, Deutschland
| | - Anne Pankow
- Ambulanz für seltene entzündliche Systemerkrankungen mit Nierenbeteiligung, Abteilung für Nieren- und Hochdruckerkrankungen, Medizinische Hochschule Hannover, Carl-Neuberg-Straße 1, 30625, Hannover, Deutschland.
- Medizinische Klinik mit Schwerpunkt Rheumatologie und klinische Immunologie, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Deutschland.
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Bonnekoh H, Krusche M, Feist E, Wagner AD, Pankow A. [Autoinflammatory syndromes]. INNERE MEDIZIN (HEIDELBERG, GERMANY) 2023; 64:442-451. [PMID: 37115240 PMCID: PMC10140729 DOI: 10.1007/s00108-023-01505-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/08/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023]
Abstract
The concept of autoinflammation includes a heterogeneous group of monogenic and polygenic diseases. These are characterized by excessive activation of the innate immune system without antigen-specific T cells or autoantibodies. The diseases are characterized by periodic episodes of fever and increased inflammation parameters. Monogenic diseases include familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) and the newly described VEXAS (vacuoles, E1 enzyme, X‑linked, autoinflammatory, somatic) syndrome. Heterogeneous diseases include adult-onset Still's disease and Schnitzler syndrome. Treatment is aimed at preventing the excessive inflammatory reaction in order to avoid long-term damage, such as amyloid A (AA) amyloidosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanna Bonnekoh
- Institut für Allergieforschung, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Hindenburgdamm 27, 12203, Berlin, Deutschland
- Allergologie und Immunologie, Fraunhofer-Institut für Translationale Medizin und Pharmakologie (ITMP), Berlin, Deutschland
| | - Martin Krusche
- III. Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik für Nephrologie, Rheumatologie und Endokrinologie, Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistraße 52, 20251, Hamburg, Deutschland
| | - Eugen Feist
- Klinik für Rheumatologie, Helios Fachklinik Vogelsang-Gommern, Sophie-von-Boetticher-Straße 1, 39245, Vogelsang, Deutschland
| | - Annette Doris Wagner
- Ambulanz für seltene entzündliche Systemerkrankungen mit Nierenbeteiligung, Abteilung für Nieren- und Hochdruckerkrankungen, Medizinische Hochschule Hannover, Carl-Neuberg-Straße 1, 30625, Hannover, Deutschland
| | - Anne Pankow
- Ambulanz für seltene entzündliche Systemerkrankungen mit Nierenbeteiligung, Abteilung für Nieren- und Hochdruckerkrankungen, Medizinische Hochschule Hannover, Carl-Neuberg-Straße 1, 30625, Hannover, Deutschland.
- Medizinische Klinik mit Schwerpunkt Rheumatologie und klinische Immunologie, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Deutschland.
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Huber SM, Navarini A, Brandt O, Müller S. Colchicine - Renaissance of an "ancient" drug. J Dtsch Dermatol Ges 2023; 21:239-243. [PMID: 36892188 DOI: 10.1111/ddg.14961] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2022] [Revised: 10/21/2022] [Accepted: 10/31/2022] [Indexed: 03/10/2023]
Abstract
Colchicine, which was already used by the ancient Egyptians, has recently experienced a renaissance in various medical disciplines, including dermatology. However, due to the potentially significant side effects of systemic use, many clinicians are cautious in their use of colchicine. This review provides a practical overview of the data on the established and emerging use of systemic and topical colchicine in dermatologic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Alexander Navarini
- Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Oliver Brandt
- Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Simon Müller
- Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
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Huber SM, Navarini A, Brandt O, Müller S. Colchicin - Renaissance eines "uralten" Arzneimittels. J Dtsch Dermatol Ges 2023; 21:239-244. [PMID: 36929556 DOI: 10.1111/ddg.14961_g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2022] [Accepted: 10/31/2022] [Indexed: 03/18/2023]
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Oliver Brandt
- Dermatologische Klinik, Universitätsspital Basel, Basel, Schweiz
| | - Simon Müller
- Dermatologische Klinik, Universitätsspital Basel, Basel, Schweiz
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Wu J, Liu Z. Progress in the management of acute colchicine poisoning in adults. Intern Emerg Med 2022; 17:2069-2081. [PMID: 36028733 PMCID: PMC9417090 DOI: 10.1007/s11739-022-03079-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2022] [Accepted: 08/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Colchicine is a tricyclic, lipid-soluble alkaloid which has long been used to treat gout and many immunological diseases. Due to its narrow therapeutic window and long half-life of elimination, colchicine overdose occurs occasionally. Unfortunately, some patients lost their lives because of colchicine overdose or suicide. Acute colchicine poisoning can lead to original gastrointestinal disorders, shock, progressive multiple organ failure, and myelosuppression. Although many researchers in the world performed lots of research, there are currently no specific antidotes for colchicine poisoning. Meanwhile, there are no management guidelines to treat patients with acute colchicine poisoning until now. Herein, we systematically elaborate on the clinical features and progress in the management of acute colchicine poisoning in adults according to the previous literature. This paper will provide some valuable and available information for clinicians.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiacheng Wu
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, No. 36, Sanhao Street, Heping District, Shenyang, 110004, Liaoning, China
| | - Zhenning Liu
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, No. 36, Sanhao Street, Heping District, Shenyang, 110004, Liaoning, China.
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