Description of four cases of death by methanol: the experience of the toxicology and pharmacology laboratory of Moroccan Poison Control Centre

Abstract

Introduction: Methanol intoxication is a public health problem that mainly affects poor populations in developed and developing countries. Despite all the advanced treatment methods, high mortality rates are still observed due to late admission to hospital and late diagnosis and treatment. Many mass poisoning have been described, following the misuse of methanol in the manufacture of adulterated alcohol in some Eastern European, Asian and African countries, resulting in several hundred each year. Objective: The objective of our study was to describe four cases of methanol intoxication that were received by the au toxicology and pharmacology laboratory of the Moroccan poison control centre CAPM-LAB. Materiel and methods: The epidemiological characteristics of patients intoxicated and dying by methanol in a collective setting were described as well as the results. Ethanol and methanol were determined in whole blood by gas chromatography with a flame ionisation detector coupled to the Head speace (CPG-FID-HS). Results: Following the consumption of adulterated alcohol (locally prepared alcohol); the CAPM-LAB received three samples from the city of El-Hajeb. The patients were aged of 46, 58 and 26 years and presented visual and consciousness disorders and vomiting, they presented average methanolemia of 1,34g/l. The CAPM-LAB also received samples from another patient from the city of Marrakech, aged 44 years, following a collective intoxication (three people) with adulterated alcohol, with methanol level of 2,52g/l. The patients died as a result of heart failure. Conclusion: Methanol can cause fatal intoxication, due to its easy availability in our country and the illegal production of alcoholic beverages.