Acute poisoning of copper sulfate: a case report and review literature

Abstract

Background: Copper sulfate is a bright blue crystal used primarily for agricultural purposes, as a pesticide, disinfectant , feed, and soil additive. Acute volunteer poisoning of copper sulfate is not common in the world and in Iran. Case presentation: We reported the case of a 15-year-old girl who presented to the emergency department after ingestion of an unknown amount of copper sulfate following a struggle at school. She had become acquainted with the toxic compound through school textbooks. On admission to the hospital, she had abdominal pain and a sore throat with a normal serum copper level. The patient stated that she had three episodes of bluish vomiting. She underwent symptomatic treatment and was monitored for 3 days. The outcome was favorable, and she had no signs and symptoms of organ failure. Conclusions: As a result, copper sulfate poisoning depending on the consumed dose can be mild or very severe with a high mortality rate. The authors discuss the various pathogenesis and treatments of this rare poisoning by reviewing the available literature.