Acute C4 Ingestion and Toxicity: Presentation and Management

Simultaneous Determination of RDX and HMX in Rat Plasma by LC-MS/MS and its Applications

Background: 1,3,5-trinitroperhydro-1,3,5-triazine (RDX) and octahydro-1,3,5,7-tetranitro-1,3,5,7-tetrazocine (HMX) can cause serious toxicity problems in humans and animals, but direct analyses of RDX and HMX in biological samples are very limited. A rapid and efficient liquid chromatography-electrospray quadrupole linear ion trap mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method suitable for the simultaneous determination of RDX and HMX in rat plasma after intravenous administration of two nitramine compound mixed solutions has been developed.

Methods: Plasma samples were pretreated with one-step protein precipitation, the plasma consumption is as low as 100 μl. RDX, HMX, and internal standard mycophenolic acid were eluted for 8.0 min on a reversed-phase C18 analytical column with a water/acetonitrile mixture as the mobile phase. An electrospray ionization (ESI) source was applied and operated in negative ion mode. The optimized mass transition ion pairs (m/z) monitored for RDX, HMX, and internal standard mycophenolic acid were m/z 284.1→61.7, m/z 331.0→108.8, and m/z 319.2→191.1, respectively.

Results: The detection ranges of both RDX and HMX in plasma were 5.00–200.00 ng⋅ml−1 with an LOD of 1.00 ng⋅ml−1. The extraction recoveries of RDX and HMX were 60.04 ± 4.18% and 79.57 ± 3.35%, respectively. The precision and accuracy met the requirements, and the method was stable under all tested conditions.

Conclusion: The present method is miniaturized, effective, portable, rapid and can be easily used for simultaneous quantification of RDX and HMX in rat plasma.

Peer Pressure = Explosive Consequences: A Case Report of Toxic Ingestion of Cyclonite (C-4) Explosive on a Dare

Introduction

We present a case of intentional ingestion of a piece of plastic explosive in a military patient that resulted in tonic-clonic seizure and gastrointestinal illness.

Case Report

Although uncommon, such ingestions have been reported in military journals since the Vietnam War. Access to plastic explosives is generally limited to military personnel, and non-military medical providers may not be familiar with treatment of acute intoxication.

Conclusion

It is imperative to refresh awareness and provide education to heighten suspicion and broaden differential diagnosis for patients presenting with new onset syncope or seizure, particularly in the military population.

The recovery of touch DNA from RDX-C4 evidences

RDX (Royal Demolition Explosive) is the organic compound with the formula (O2NNCH2)3. It is a white solid material without smell or taste, widely used as an explosive. It is more energetic explosive than TNT, and it was used widely in World War II. The estimated number of RDX-C4 cases in Bahrain ranged between the years 2015–2018 (May) with a total quantity of 370.72 KG in a total number of 38 cases. The effect of explosive RDX-C4 is very massive and can cause many causalities and fatalities among civilians and policemen. These cases consisted of adhesive film with tapes wrapped around RDX-C4 substance (Demolition Charge M112), black batteries, pipes, black bag contained RDX-C4, and in magnetic improvised explosive device (IED). Touch DNA recovery utilized different collection methods, such as nylon swabbing, tape lifting, and direct cutting of certain parts of the samples that were positive of RDX-C4 through DXR Raman Spectrometer. Samples were extracted and purified with magnetic beads chemistry and quantified. Low copy DNA extracts were subjected to a concentration step. DNA extracts were amplified and processed for detection to obtain reliable results using GlobalFiler Amplification PCR kit and run through ABI 3500xL Genetic Analyzer for fragment length determination. We have discovered that RDX-C4 cannot bind to the DNA nor to the solutions used in DNA typing. Thus, it does not cause DNA inhibition or degradation. From this point of view, we were successful in obtaining acceptable and fit results using advanced techniques. This study will be very useful and informative to assist the forensic community in terrorism case applications worldwide as terrorists do not respect geographical boundaries nor ethnicities of the victims, and the use of DNA profiling technology is the most suitable way to identify the terrorists and keep an end to their violence.