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Li WX, Sun CH, Li ZD, Lin JY, Shao Y, Chen L, Li LL, Ye X, Shen YW. Anaphylactic deaths: A retrospective study of forensic autopsy cases from 2009 to 2019 in Shanghai, China. Heliyon 2024; 10:e28049. [PMID: 38515709 PMCID: PMC10955291 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e28049] [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: 04/19/2023] [Revised: 03/10/2024] [Accepted: 03/11/2024] [Indexed: 03/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Anaphylaxis is a rare but well-known cause of sudden unexpected death, although data from forensic autopsies in anaphylactic deaths are limited. Herein, a retrospective study of a series of allergic deaths from 2009 through 2019 in Shanghai, China, was conducted to investigate the demographic, medical, and forensic pathological characteristics of fatal anaphylaxis to improve medicolegal understanding on anaphylactic death. Sixty-two autopsy cases of anaphylactic death were registered in this study. Males dominated the cases (74.2%) against females (25.8%), with an average age of 38.8 years. Medications (98.4%), particularly antibiotics (72.6%), were the most frequent cause of anaphylaxis, and 44 cases (71.0%) occurred in clinics administered illegally by unlicensed clinicians. The anaphylactic symptoms began within a few minutes to less than 1 h in 53 cases, with dyspnea (56.5%) and sudden shock (46.8%) being the most common clinical signs. Thirty cases (48.4%) of anaphylaxis resulted in death within 1 h. Laryngeal edema and multiple tissue eosinophil infiltration (85.5%) were the most prevalent autopsy findings, followed by pulmonary edema and congestion (24.2%), which were considered to be non-specific but suggestive. The comorbidities were mainly cardiovascular disease (33.9%), pneumonia (8.1%) and asthma (8.1%). Serum IgE were measured in 11 of 62 cases, ranging from 43.3 to 591 IU/ml, severed as a helpful marker. Therefore, we suggested a thorough analysis of allergen exposure, clinical history and autopsy findings is required for the diagnosis of anaphylactic death currently.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen-xin Li
- Department of Forensic Medicine, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, PR China
| | - Cheng-hui Sun
- Criminal Science and Technology Research Institute, Fengxian Branch of Shanghai Municipal Public Security Bureau, Shanghai, 201499, PR China
| | - Zheng-dong Li
- Shanghai Key laboratory of Forensic Medicine, Academy of Forensic Science, Ministry of Justice, Shanghai, 200063, PR China
| | - Jun-yi Lin
- Department of Forensic Medicine, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, PR China
| | - Yu Shao
- Department of Forensic Medicine, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, PR China
| | - Long Chen
- Department of Forensic Medicine, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, PR China
| | - Li-liang Li
- Department of Forensic Medicine, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, PR China
| | - Xing Ye
- Department of Forensic Medicine, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, PR China
| | - Yi-wen Shen
- Department of Forensic Medicine, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, PR China
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Guo X, Bai Y, Jia X, Wu P, Luo L, Wang J, Li H, Guo H, Li J, Guo Z, Yun K, Gao C, Yan J. DNA methylation profiling reveals potential biomarkers of β-lactams induced fatal anaphylactic shock. Forensic Sci Int 2024; 356:111943. [PMID: 38290418 DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2024.111943] [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] [Received: 02/14/2023] [Revised: 10/30/2023] [Accepted: 01/14/2024] [Indexed: 02/01/2024]
Abstract
Anaphylaxis is a serious reaction of systemic hypersensitivity with that rapid onset and sudden death. Drug hypersensitivity, particularly induced by β-lactams, is one of the most frequent causes of anaphylaxis in adults. But identification of anaphylactic shock, in forensic sciences recently, is difficult, because it mainly depends on nonspecific characteristic morphological changes, as well as exclusion and circumstantial evidence. Here, we detected DNA methylation signatures of β-lactams-induced fatal anaphylactic shock with the Illumina Infinium Human Methylation EPIC BeadChip, to screen potential forensic biomarkers and reveal the molecular mechanisms of drug-induced anaphylaxis with fatal shock and sudden death. Our results indicated that DNA methylation was associated with β-lactams-induced fatal anaphylactic shock, in which the hypomethylation played a vital role. We found that 1459 differentially methylated positions (DMPs) were mainly involved in β-lactams-induced fatal anaphylactic shock by regulating MAPK and other signaling pathways. 18 DNA methylation signatures that could separate β-lactams-induced anaphylactic shock from healthy individuals were identified. The altered methylation of DMPs can affect the transcription of corresponding genes and promote β-lactams-induced fatal anaphylactic shock. The results suggest that DNA methylation can detect forensic identification markers of drug-induced anaphylaxis with fatal shock and sudden death, and it is an effective method for the forensic diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiangjie Guo
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, Shanxi, China; Translational Medicine Research Center, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, Shanxi, China; Shanxi Key Laboratory of Drug Toxicology and Drug for Radiation Injury, China Institute for Radiation Protection, Taiyuan, ShanXi, China.
| | - Yaqin Bai
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, Shanxi, China
| | - Xiao Jia
- College of Pharmacy, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Peng Wu
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, Shanxi, China
| | - Li Luo
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, Shanxi, China
| | - Jiaqi Wang
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, Shanxi, China
| | - Hao Li
- Institute of Forensic Science of China, Beijing, China
| | - Hualin Guo
- China Astronaut Research and Training Center, Beijing, China
| | - Jianguo Li
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Drug Toxicology and Drug for Radiation Injury, China Institute for Radiation Protection, Taiyuan, ShanXi, China
| | - Zhongyuan Guo
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, Shanxi, China
| | - Keming Yun
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, Shanxi, China
| | - Cairong Gao
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, Shanxi, China.
| | - Jiangwei Yan
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, Shanxi, China.
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Rijavec M, Inkret J, Bidovec-Stojković U, Carli T, Frelih N, Kukec A, Korošec P, Košnik M. Fatal Hymenoptera Venom-Triggered Anaphylaxis in Patients with Unrecognized Clonal Mast Cell Disorder-Is Mastocytosis to Blame? Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:16368. [PMID: 38003556 PMCID: PMC10671356 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242216368] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2023] [Revised: 11/11/2023] [Accepted: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Hymenoptera venom-triggered anaphylaxis (HVA) affects up to 8.9% of the general population and is the most frequent cause of anaphylaxis in adults, accounting for approximately 20% of all fatal anaphylaxis cases. Quite often, a fatal reaction is a victim's first manifestation of HVA. Mastocytosis represents one of the most important risk factors for severe HVA. We analyzed patients with documented fatal HVA for the presence of underlying clonal mast cell disorder (cMCD). Here, we report three cases of fatal HVA, with undiagnosed underlying cMCD identified by the presence of the peripheral blood and/or bone marrow KIT p.D816V missense variant postmortem. In the first case, anaphylaxis was the initial episode and was fatal. In the other two cases, both patients were treated with specific venom immunotherapy (VIT), nevertheless, one died of HVA after VIT discontinuation, and the other during VIT; both patients had cardiovascular comorbidities and were taking beta-blockers and/or ACE inhibitors. Our results point to the importance of screening all high-risk individuals for underlying cMCD using highly sensitive molecular methods for peripheral blood KIT p.D816V variant detection, including severe HVA and possibly beekeepers, for proper management and the need for lifelong VIT to prevent unnecessary deaths. Patients at the highest risk of fatal HVA, with concomitant cardiovascular and cMCD comorbidities, might not be protected from field stings even during regular VIT. Therefore, two adrenaline autoinjectors and lifelong VIT, and possibly cotreatment with omalizumab, should be considered for high-risk patients to prevent fatal HVA episodes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matija Rijavec
- University Clinic of Respiratory and Allergic Diseases Golnik, 4204 Golnik, Slovenia; (U.B.-S.)
- Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Jezerka Inkret
- Institute of Forensic Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Urška Bidovec-Stojković
- University Clinic of Respiratory and Allergic Diseases Golnik, 4204 Golnik, Slovenia; (U.B.-S.)
| | - Tanja Carli
- National Institute of Public Health, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Nina Frelih
- University Clinic of Respiratory and Allergic Diseases Golnik, 4204 Golnik, Slovenia; (U.B.-S.)
| | - Andreja Kukec
- National Institute of Public Health, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Peter Korošec
- University Clinic of Respiratory and Allergic Diseases Golnik, 4204 Golnik, Slovenia; (U.B.-S.)
- Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Maribor, 2000 Maribor, Slovenia
| | - Mitja Košnik
- University Clinic of Respiratory and Allergic Diseases Golnik, 4204 Golnik, Slovenia; (U.B.-S.)
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
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Mondello C, Baldino G, Cianci V, Forzese E, Asmundo A, Ieni A, Ventura Spagnolo E. Postmortem Biochemistry and Immunohistochemistry in Anaphylactic Death Due to Hymenoptera Sting: A Forensic Case Report. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:ijerph20095640. [PMID: 37174160 PMCID: PMC10177871 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20095640] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2023] [Revised: 04/03/2023] [Accepted: 04/21/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Postmortem assessment of anaphylactic death is a challenge for forensic pathologists. One of the most frequent elicitors of anaphylaxis is insect venom. Here, a case of anaphylactic death due to Hymenoptera stings is reported to highlight the contribution of postmortem biochemistry and immunohistochemistry in assessing the cause of death. CASE REPORT A 59-year-old Caucasian man working on his farm was presumably stung by a bee and died. He had a history of previous sensitization to insect venom. The autopsy revealed no signs of insect puncture, mild edema of the larynx, and foamy edema in the bronchial tree and lungs. Routine histology showed endo-alveolar edema and hemorrhage, bronchospasm, and scattered bronchial obstruction due to mucus hyperproduction. Biochemical analysis was performed, and serum tryptase was equal to 189 µg/L, total IgE was 200 kU/L, and specific IgE dosage was positive for bee and yellow jacket species. Immunohistochemistry for tryptase detection was carried out, revealing mast cells and degranulated tryptase expression in the larynx, lungs, spleen, and heart. These findings led to the diagnosis of anaphylactic death due to Hymenoptera stings. CONCLUSIONS The case highlights that the role of biochemistry and immunohistochemistry in the postmortem assessment of anaphylactic reactions should be stressed by forensic practitioners.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Mondello
- Department of Biomedical and Dental Sciences and Morphofunctional Imaging, University of Messina, Via Consolare Valeria, 98125 Messina, Italy
| | - Gennaro Baldino
- Department of Biomedical and Dental Sciences and Morphofunctional Imaging, University of Messina, Via Consolare Valeria, 98125 Messina, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Cianci
- Department of Biomedical and Dental Sciences and Morphofunctional Imaging, University of Messina, Via Consolare Valeria, 98125 Messina, Italy
| | - Elena Forzese
- Department of Biomedical and Dental Sciences and Morphofunctional Imaging, University of Messina, Via Consolare Valeria, 98125 Messina, Italy
| | - Alessio Asmundo
- Department of Biomedical and Dental Sciences and Morphofunctional Imaging, University of Messina, Via Consolare Valeria, 98125 Messina, Italy
| | - Antonio Ieni
- Department of Human Pathology of Adult and Childhood "Gaetano Barresi", University of Messina, Via Consolare Valeria, 98125 Messina, Italy
| | - Elvira Ventura Spagnolo
- Department of Biomedical and Dental Sciences and Morphofunctional Imaging, University of Messina, Via Consolare Valeria, 98125 Messina, Italy
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Yeo A, Kuek B, Lau M, Tan SR, Chan S. Post COVID-19 vaccine deaths - Singapore's early experience. Forensic Sci Int 2022; 332:111199. [PMID: 35078041 PMCID: PMC8767909 DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2022.111199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2021] [Revised: 12/20/2021] [Accepted: 01/17/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Singapore has been using mRNA vaccines developed by Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna as part of the nation's COVID vaccination program since 30 December 2020. From 1 February 2021-30 June 2021, a total of 34 deaths that occurred within 72 h of the deceased receiving their COVID-19 vaccination were referred to the Forensic Medicine Division of the Health Sciences Authority of Singapore. Autopsies, histological sampling and ancillary investigations consisting of total tryptase level, Immunoglobulin E (IgE), and C-reactive Protein (CRP), were performed on 29 of these cases. Our study has shown no definite causative relationship between the mRNA vaccination and deaths of individuals who died within 72 h after receiving the vaccination, in particular with regards to anaphylactic reactions, myocarditis and pericarditis, and thrombotic complications. Further studies may consider increasing the incident time frame from 72 h to seven days post-vaccination or longer to include any potential delayed presentation of adverse effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Audrey Yeo
- Forensic Medicine Division, Applied Sciences Group, Health Sciences Authority, Singapore.
| | - Benjamin Kuek
- Forensic Medicine Division, Applied Sciences Group, Health Sciences Authority, Singapore
| | - Mandy Lau
- Forensic Medicine Division, Applied Sciences Group, Health Sciences Authority, Singapore
| | - Shi Rui Tan
- Forensic Medicine Division, Applied Sciences Group, Health Sciences Authority, Singapore
| | - Shijia Chan
- Forensic Medicine Division, Applied Sciences Group, Health Sciences Authority, Singapore
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