Journal Published Online: 01 January 1994
Volume 39, Issue 1

Death Following Colchicine Poisoning

CODEN: JFSCAS

Abstract

A 45-year-old male was admitted to hospital after 2 to 3 days of vomiting, nausea, and diarrhea following an apparent overdose of colchicine tablets. During hospitalization his white blood cell count fell dramatically. At death, 33 h following initial hospitalization, pleural effusion with bilateral bronchopneumonia was evident, together with numerous bacterial colonies and marked hypocellularity of bone marrow and reduced megakaryocytes, erythroid, and myeloid cells. The most striking histological findings were numerous metaphasic mitotic figures in gastric and small bowel epithelia. Colchicine was detected, confirmed by high pressure liquid chromatography with photodiode array detection, and quantitated in antemortem plasma collected 3.3 h following hospitalization and in postmortem blood and bile. Colchicine was not detected in liver, vitreous humor, or stomach contents.

Author Information

McIntyre, IM
Victorian Institute of Forensic Pathology, South Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Ruszkiewicz, AR
Victorian Institute of Forensic Pathology, South Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Crump, K
Victorian Institute of Forensic Pathology, South Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Drummer, OH
Monash University, South Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Pages: 7
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Stock #: JFS13598J
ISSN: 0022-1198
DOI: 10.1520/JFS13598J