Hypersensitivity Reaction and Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome in Pyrethroid Poisoning and Role of Steroid Therapy

Background: Pyrethroids are generally of low toxicity to humans, but in suicidal poisonings which are usually associated with ingestion of high doses, they lead to severe systemic effects. Case Report: A 30-year old woman presented to emergency department with a history of intentional ingestion of about 15 mL of prallethrin around 3 days earlier. She complained of shortness of breath along with chest pain for the last 2 days. She reported no vomiting or stomach pain prior to presentation to hospital. On chest auscultation, breath sounds were mildly decreased in bilateral infrascapular areas with generalized crepitation. Arterial blood gas analysis revealed respiratory alkalosis. Chest X ray and computed tomography of thorax revealed widespread confluent areas of consolidation with interlobular septal thickening involving bilateral parahilar regions suggestive of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). The patient did not respond to broad spectrum antibiotic coverage, diuretics and oxygen inhalation. Intravenous methylprednisolone (2 mg/kg/day divided 6 hourly) was started and slowly tapered off during the next days. The patient discharged after 3 weeks in good health. Discussion: As pyrethroids can affect sodium channels, the osmotic gradient of alveolar epithelium probably disrupts and therefore, alveolar infiltrations gradually spread over lungs. In addition, there is a possibility of hypersensitivity reactions to pyrethroids, which can cause progressive inflammation and involve respiratory tract in severe cases. Conclusion: Pyrethroid poisoning can lead to ARDS. Steroid therapy may help such patients tide over the pulmonary crisis

Multi-function tester

Measuring instruments are very important in electronic and electrical laboratories. More often, the VQM is readily available since it has a wide range of applications. But many VQM have the usual volt, current, resistance measuring features and diode checker. Beginners in electronic field knows that resistors and capacitors including inductors are the most popular passive elements but resistance values can easily be obtained unlike capacitance. For advanced people in electronics, an op-amp tester and transistor tester are necessary to test if their transistors and amplifiers are operational or not. It is for these reasons that the group decided to construct a multi-function tester composed of a VQM, op-amp tester and transistor tester are necessary to test if their transistors and amplifiers are operational or not.It is for these reasons that the group decided to construct a multi-function tester composed of a VQM, op-amp tester, capacitance meter and transistor tester integrated together in one light, movable, and convenient casing though constructed and installed separately. The uniqueness of this project is that the VQM is reduced into a compact size to save necessary space for the other features. The circuits are arranged in such a way as to indicate the necessary functions to be used