Pneumomediastinum caused by occult paraquat poisoning: Case report

Occult paraquat poisoning causing pneumomediastinum and organizing pneumonia

Pneumomediastinum is not an uncommon manifestation of lung toxicity in acute paraquat ingestion. The condition is almost invariably seen with other lung parenchymal abnormalities such as consolidations, ground-glass opacities and interlobular septal thickening. The diagnosis may be challenging in cases with no history of toxin exposure, presentation with a subacute illness and/or absence of typical local or systemic features of paraquat toxicity.

Report of a Case of Paraquat Poisoning and Mediastinal Involvement

Paraquat has been recognized as a highly toxic agent for pest removal and is used worldwide. In adults, paraquat poisoning for suicidal attempts is much more common than accidental exposure poisoning. Approximately 20% of patients with paraquat poisoning develop pneumomediastonium as a complication with a mortality rate of approximately 100%. A 19-year-old man patient was admitted to the poisoning emergency department of Khorshid hospital, who had ingested paraquat. He had nausea and vomiting and had normal vital signs and examination in admission. Initial treatment for the patient was done. The patient signs got worsened on the 21^st day of hospitalization and had severe emphysema of the superficial and deep spaces of the neck, followed by bilateral pneumothorax, and severe pneumomediastinum. Unfortunately, the patient died on the 27^th day of hospitalization. Purpose of the current study is to raise awareness of rare paraquat toxicity complications, treatment, and especially its lethal complications, including pneumomomediastonium.

Combined signaling of NF-kappaB and IL-17 contributes to Mesenchymal stem cells-mediated protection for Paraquat-induced acute lung injury

BACKGROUND

Paraquat (PQ) is an herbicide widely used in the world. PQ can cause pulmonary toxicity and even acute lung injury. Treatment for PQ poisoning in a timely manner is still a challenge for clinicians. Mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) transplantation has hold potentials for the treatment of several lung diseases including PQ poisoning. The aim of this study is to examine the mechanisms mediated by MSC transplantation to protect PQ-induced lung injury.

METHODS

Here we performed the whole genome sequencing and compared the genes and pathways in the lung that were altered by PQ or PQ together with MSC treatment.

RESULTS

The comparison in transcriptome identified a combined mitigation in NF-kappaB signaling and IL-17 signaling in MSC transplanted samples.

CONCLUSION

This study not only reiterates the important role of NF-kappaB signaling and IL-17 signaling in the pathogenesis of PQ-induced toxicity, but also provides insight into a molecular basis of MSC administration for the treatment of PQ-induced toxicity.