Alphanaphthylthiourea (ANTU)

Is a potently used insecticides. This toxin causes local gastric irritation and most of the times vomited by the animals which can vomit and hence escape from toxicity.

 Ruminants are resistant to poisoning.

Dogs and pigs are occasionally poisoned.

      Mechanism of action:

• It causes the dilation of the pulmonary capillaries leadings to pulmonary edema and increases the permeability of the pulmonary membrane, resulting the excessive accumulations of the fluid in the lung alveoli.
• The damage is focused on the endotheliumof pulmonary capillaries and venules, it will lead to the formation of irreversible gaps in the endothelium of pulmonary vessels. This damage can lead to pulmonary edema.
• Reaction of ANTU with sulfhydryl groups may be a necessary part of the mechanism of toxic action, since it has been reported that sulfhydryl group blocking agents are effective antidotes in rats in some experimental conditions.

              Symptoms:

• Pulmonary edema.
• Circulatory distress.
• Respiratory distress.
• Accelerate pulse rate.
• Increased heart beat.
• Watery diarrhoea.
• White foamy fluid discharge from the nostrils and mouth.
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• Most death occurs 2-3 after clinical symptoms . If the animal survives the condition watery diarrhoea and vomitus with blood may be seen.

PM lesions:

• Edematous fluid in the lungs.
• Swelling of the lungs.
• Hydrothorax

Treatment:

Treatment includes use of emetics if no respiratory distress is noticed.

• Activated charcoal may possibly be of value in the lavage solutions and should be left in the lumen thereafter. If a thorough enterogastric lavage is not performed, then a saline cathartic should also be administered.
• Administration of n-amyl mercaptane and sodium thiosulphate, positive oxygen therapy and administration of osmotic diuretics and atropine are useful.

 • The prognosis for animals suffering from clinically significant ANTU poisoning is poor