Earwax: A clue to discover fluoroacetate intoxication in cattle

Toxicon. 2017 Oct:137:54-57. doi: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2017.07.014. Epub 2017 Jul 15.

Abstract

An innovative method was developed to detect fluoroacetate poisoning in cattle by headspace/gas chromatographic analysis of earwax samples of intoxicated cattle. Samples were collected from 2 groups of cattle subjected to induced fluoroacetate intoxication, each group receiving a different dose of acetamide (antidote). Monofluoroacetic acid was detected in samples of intoxicated cattle in concentrations inversely proportional to the dose of acetamide. Thus, earwax analysis represents a successful approach for detection and monitoring of fluoroacetate poisoning.

Keywords: Bovine; Compound 1080; Earwax; Fluoroacetate poisoning; HS/GC-MS.

MeSH terms

  • Acetamides / administration & dosage
  • Animals
  • Antidotes / administration & dosage
  • Cattle
  • Cattle Diseases / diagnosis*
  • Cattle Diseases / drug therapy
  • Cerumen / chemistry*
  • Chromatography, Gas
  • Fluoroacetates / poisoning*
  • Male
  • Plant Poisoning / diagnosis
  • Plant Poisoning / drug therapy
  • Plant Poisoning / veterinary*
  • Rubiaceae / chemistry
  • Rubiaceae / poisoning*

Substances

  • Acetamides
  • Antidotes
  • Fluoroacetates
  • acetamide
  • fluoroacetic acid