ISSN: 0022-1198
CODEN: JFSCA
Page Count: 3

Suicidal Chloroquine Poisoning: Clinical Course, Autopsy Findings, and Chemical Analysis
Laggner, AN
University of Vienna,

Berzlanovich, A
Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Vienna,

Bauer, G
Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Vienna,

Mortinger, H
Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Vienna,

M, Muhm

Binder, R
Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Vienna,

Malzer, R
University of Vienna,

Stimpfl, T
Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Vienna,

Vycudilik, W
Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Vienna,

(Received 23 February 1996; accepted 19 April 1996)

Abstract

Suicidal overdose of chloroquine is rare. We present a 14-year-old girl who was admitted to our Emergency Department after intentional ingestion of 7.5 g of chloroquine base followed by cardiac and respiratory arrest. Despite early mechanical ventilation, cardiac support, and treatment with high doses of diazepam, the patient died. Laboratory investigation indicated disseminated intravascular coagulation confirmed by petechial hemorhages in the leptomeninges at autopsy, a finding that has not previously been described. Postmortem tissue analysis demonstrated early drug distribution to the medulla oblongata and cerebellum.

Keywords:
forensic science, forensic toxicology, chloroquine poisoning, hypokalemia, disseminated intravascular coagulation, tissue concentrations

Paper ID: JFS14054J
DOI: 10.1520/JFS14054J
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