Poisoning in Israel: annual report of the Israel Poison Information Center, 2007.

Background: The Israel National Poison Information Center, Rambam Health Care Campus, provides telephone consultations on clinical toxicology as well as drug and teratogen information around the clock. The Center participates in research, teaching and regulatory activities and also provides laboratory services.

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

Illicit cathinone ("Hagigat") poisoning.

Introduction: Khat leaves (mainly cathinone and cathine) have been chewed for centuries as stimulants. Hagigat (capsules of 200 mg cathinone) have been marketed in Israel as a natural stimulant and aphrodisiac. The consequences of illicit exposure to cathinone are reported.

Intrathecal methotrexate neurotoxicity: clinical correlates and antidotal treatment.

The neurotoxicity of methotrexate (MTX) is more severe when administered intrathecally (IT) than by the oral and intravenous (IV) routes, and has been reported even with a single administration of therapeutic doses of 12 or 15mg. Prompt recognition and treatment are essential to improve the outcome after massive IT-MTX overdose. Treatment options include CSF drainage or CSF exchange, ventriculolumbar perfusion, IT corticosteroids to reduce CSF inflammation and IV leucovorin to reduce systemic toxicity.

Toxicological features of deliberate self-poisonings.

Background: Deliberate self-poisoning (DSP) is a major health problem with increasing incidence mainly among young people.

Objective: To examine the clinical and toxicological characteristics of DSP, it is compared to unintentional (non-DSP) exposures and those characteristics which might be associated with increased toxicological risk are identified.

Methods: Two-year retrospective poison centre chart review.

Evaluation of antivenom therapy in Vipera palaestinae bites.

Background: Vipera palaestinae antivenom has been successfully used to treat systemic and progressive local manifestations inflicted by this snake. The clinical course of several envenomations created the impression that the recommended fixed dose regimen of antivenom (50 ml) may not always be sufficient.

Objective: To evaluate the V.

Rabbitfish ("aras"): an unusual source of ciguatera poisoning.

Background: Ciguatera poisoning is the commonest fish-borne seafood intoxication. It is endemic to warm water tropical areas and is caused by consumption of bottom-dwelling shore reef fish, mostly during spring and summer. The causative agent, ciguatoxin, is a heat-stable ester complex that becomes concentrated in fish feeding on toxic dinoflagellates.