Postmortem Tissue Distribution of Citalopram in a Case of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

Citalopram abuse may impair judgment and increase the risk of suicidal thoughts. This case report aims to study the postmortem tissue distribution of citalopram in a case of carbon monoxide poisoning. Initial analysis was done by both immunoassay and non-targeted GC-MS screening methods. Carbon m...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Magbool E. Oraiby, Mohammed Y. Albeishy, Mohammedalbadr M. Khawaji, Mohammed A. Arishy, Ibraheem M. Attafi
Format: Article
Language:Arabic
Published: Naif University Publishing House 2020-06-01
Series:Arab Journal of Forensic Sciences & Forensic Medicine
Subjects:
Online Access:https://journals.nauss.edu.sa/index.php/AJFSFM/article/view/1254
Description
Summary:Citalopram abuse may impair judgment and increase the risk of suicidal thoughts. This case report aims to study the postmortem tissue distribution of citalopram in a case of carbon monoxide poisoning. Initial analysis was done by both immunoassay and non-targeted GC-MS screening methods. Carbon monoxide was identified and quantified by measuring the carboxyhemoglobin levels in spleen secretion (black bile) and spleen blood using a UV-visible spectrophotometer, while citalopram was identified and quantified by using an LC-MS-MS system. Initial analysis showed that citalopram was present in all samples determined by immunoassay. The results of carboxyhemoglobin analysis were 85% in the spleen secretion and spleen blood, which are generally fatal levels. The results of LC-MS-MS showed that citalopram concentrations were 0.58 mg/L, 0.37 mg/L, 0.29 mg/L, 0.13 mg/L, 0.10 mg/L, and 0.01 mg/L, in the spleen blood, brain, spleen, kidney, liver and stomach, respectively. The highest concentrations of citalopram, 0.58 mg/L and 0.37 mg/L, were detected in spleen blood and brain tissue, respectively, which could be used as an alternative specimen to blood.
ISSN:1658-6786
1658-6794