The epidemiology of wild mushroom poisoning in Israel.

Wild mushroom (macrofungi) picking has become a popular activity in Israel in recent years. Besides the estimated 135 edible species, the mycobiota of Israel includes also around 65 poisonous and potentially dangerous species. We conducted a long-term retrospective study to monitor the frequency, severity, seasonal character, species composition, and geographic distribution of mushroom exposure and poisoning in Israel.

Adherence of caregivers of children to advice provided by a National Poison Information Center.

Introduction: Most calls to poison information centers are from the public, pertaining to young children, and due to minor or nontoxic exposures. Rational poison center consultations can prevent unnecessary visits to emergency departments (EDs), callers' adherence to such advice is required.

Objectives: Estimate adherence of callers from the public to the poison center concerning exposures of young children to the advice provided by the clinical toxicologist, estimate the number of unnecessary ED visits of these children prevented by poison center consultations.

Toxicological risks on the human health of populations living around the Mediterranean Sea linked to the invasion of non-indigenous marine species from the Red Sea: A review.

The Mediterranean region is, by far, a prime travel destination, having hosted more than 330 million tourists in 2016, mostly for seaside holidays. A greatly increased influx of thermophilic Red Sea species, introduced through the Suez Canal in a process referred to as Lessepsian invasion (in honor of Ferdinand de Lesseps who instigated the building of the Suez Canal), have raised awareness among scientists, medical personnel, and the public, of health risks caused by some venomous and poisonous marine species. The main species of concern are the poisonous Lagocephalus sceleratus, and the venomous Plotosus lineatus, Siganus luridus, Siganus rivulatus, Pterois miles, Synancea verrucosa, Rhopilema nomadica, Macrorhynchia philippina and Diadema setosum.

Adherence with prescription drugs in pregnant and breastfeeding women consulting with the Israel Poison Information Center Teratology Service.

Introduction: During pregnancy and breastfeeding, many women require prescription medications. Concerns about drug effects on the fetus or breastfed infant may lead to decreased adherence. Our objective was to evaluate the adherence of pregnant and breastfeeding Israeli women to prescription drugs, the information they received regarding drug safety, and the women's awareness and pattern of the use of Teratogen Information Services (TIS) in Israel.

Cannabis and synthetic cannabinoid exposure reported to the Israel poison information center: Examining differences in exposures to medical and recreational compounds.

Background: Increasing use of cannabis for medical and recreational purposes has augmented concerns about associated poisoning, and specifically pediatric and adolescent poisonings. Synthetic cannabinoids, often marketed as cannabis replacement, have recently emerged and knowledge and awareness of their toxic effects is growing. The objective of this study was to characterize and compare cannabinoid poisonings (medical and recreational cannabis, and synthetic cannabinoids) in Israel during the period 2007-2018.

Limited Sampling Strategies Supporting Individualized Dose Adjustment of Intravenous Busulfan in Children and Young Adults.

Background: Therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) for busulfan supports dose adjustment during conditioning for stem cell transplantation. The authors aimed to develop and validate limited sampling strategies (LSS) of 4-5 samples for a precise estimation of the area under concentration (AUC)-time curve of busulfan, in plasma as an alternative to an intensive sampling strategy (ISS) requiring 9-10 samples.

Methods: ISS TDM data from 297 patients (≤18 years of age) were used.

The Effect of a 30-Min Water-Pipe Smoking Session on Cognitive Measures and Cardio-Pulmonary Parameters.

Introduction: One session of water-pipe tobacco smoking (WPS) can increase carboxyhemoglobin (COHb) to levels comparable to those reported in carbon monoxide poisoning, which may cause memory impairment and confusion.

Methods: A prospective study evaluating healthy volunteers pre- and post-30 min of WPS session. Primary outcome parameters were executive cognitive measures [digit span test and Paced Auditory Serial Addition Test (PASAT)].

Poisoning in Israel: Annual Report of the Israel Poison Information Center, 2017.

Background: The Israel Poison Information Center (IPIC), Rambam Health Care Campus, provides 24-hour telephone consultations on clinical toxicology and drug and reproductive toxicology. It participates in research, teaching and regulatory activities, and provides laboratory services. In 2014, nurse specialists in poison information joined the IPIC.

The clinical effects of the venomous Lessepsian migrant fish Plotosus lineatus (Thunberg, 1787) in the Southeastern Mediterranean Sea.

Context: Plotosus lineatus is a venomous fish that has migrated from the Indo-Pacific region to the Mediterranean Sea (Lessepsian migrant). Its presence in the Mediterranean Sea was first recorded in 2002 and was observed in growing schools. Its spines contain toxins with lytic, hemolytic and edematous activities.

Poison exposures in young Israeli military personnel: a National Poison Center Data analysis.

Context: To characterize poison exposures in young Israeli military personnel as reported to the national poison center.

Methods: Retrospective poison center chart review over a 14-year period. Cases included were Israeli soldiers aged 18-21 years, the compulsory military service age required by the Israeli law.

Exploring an herbal "wonder cure" for cancer: a multidisciplinary approach.

Context And Objectives: The unmonitored use of herbal medicinal remedies by patients with cancer presents a significant challenge to oncology healthcare professionals. We describe an increasingly popular herbal "wonder drug," Ephedra foeminea (Alanda in Arabic), whose use has spread from the Palestinian patient population throughout the Middle East. We conducted a multicentered and multidisciplinary collaborative research effort in order to understand the potential benefits and harms of this popular herbal remedy.

Silica Gel: Non-Toxic Ingestion with Epidemiologic and Economic Implications.

Background: Exposure to silica gel, a common desiccant, is considered common and non-toxic although data are limited.

Objectives: To evaluate the characteristics of silica gel ingestion, and to attempt to estimate the associated health care costs.

Methods: We conducted a one year retrospective review of charts of a national poison information center to characterize ingestions of silica gel and estimate its direct cost to health care services.

Poisoning in Israel: annual report of the Israel Poison Information Center, 2012.

Background: The Israel National Poison Information Center (IPIC), Rambam Health Care Campus, provides 24 hour telephone consultations in clinical toxicology as well as drug and teratogen information. It participates in research, teaching and regulatory activities, and also provides laboratory services.

Objectives: To report data on the epidemiology of poisonings and poison exposures in Israel.

Comparison of everolimus QMS immunoassay on Architect ci4100 and liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry: lack of agreement in organ-transplanted patients.

Background: Liquid chromatography with mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) is the method of choice for the determination of everolimus whole blood concentrations but is not always available. Therefore, immunoassays have been developed for clinical monitoring of everolimus. In previous studies, the Quantitative Microsphere System (QMS) immunoassay had a positive bias compared with LC-MS/MS, but was judged acceptable, although clinical agreement (eg, 95% limits of agreement) was not reported.

Medication errors outside healthcare facilities: a national poison centre perspective.

Medication errors (ME) are a major concern to healthcare systems. Most studies evaluated ME occurring in healthcare facilities; only few focused on ME outside them. The objective was to characterise ME occurring outside healthcare facilities.

Laboratory and clinical acute effects of active and passive indoor group water-pipe (narghile) smoking.

Background: Indoor group water-pipe tobacco smoking, commonly referred to as water-pipe smoking (WPS), especially in coffee shops, has gained worldwide popularity. We performed a comprehensive laboratory and clinical evaluation of the acute effects of active and passive indoor group WPS.

Methods: This comparative study evaluated pre- and post-30-min active and passive indoor group WPS.

The role of chest and abdominal computed tomography in assessing the severity of acute corrosive ingestion.

Context: Corrosive substance ingestion is a toxicological emergency with relatively high mortality requiring rational surgical decisions.

Objective: Evaluate the role of chest and abdominal computed tomography (CT) in assessing the severity of acute corrosive ingestion.

Methods: A retrospective study of adults admitted due to corrosive ingestion, who underwent gastrointestinal endoscopy and CT within 48 h of admission.

Evaluation of the health effects of occupational exposure of analytic laboratory workers processing illicit drug investigation files.

Introduction: The Analytic Laboratory of Israel Police processes illicit drug files. In recent years, workers of this laboratory have complained of health problems. Limited information exists on the effect of occupational exposure to illicit drugs; biomonitoring was never done.

Octreotide for the treatment of sulfonylurea poisoning.

Background: Sulfonylureas are used extensively for treating type-2 diabetes mellitus. Sulfonylurea poisoning can produce sustained and profound hypoglycemia refractory to IV dextrose, particularly in children and the elderly.

Objective: To review the use of octreotide, a long-acting somatostatin analog, in the treatment of sulfonylurea-induced hypoglycemia.