Unusual greenish tissue discoloration in fatal aluminium phosphide poisoning: clinical and forensic perspectives

Aim: Aluminum phosphide poisoning poses significant challenges both in clinical and forensic settings due to its high fatality rate and diverse clinical manifestations. While the clinical symptoms of aluminum phosphide toxicity are well-documente...

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Main Authors: Jayeshkumar Kanani, Mohammed Iliyas Sheikh
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Polish Society of Forensic Medicine and Criminology (PTMSiK) 2025-03-01
Series:Archives of Forensic Medicine and Criminology
Online Access: https://ejournals.eu/czasopismo/amsik/artykul/unusual-greenish-tissue-discoloration-in-fatal-aluminium-phosphide-poisoning-clinical-and-forensic-perspectives
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author Jayeshkumar Kanani
Mohammed Iliyas Sheikh
author_facet Jayeshkumar Kanani
Mohammed Iliyas Sheikh
author_sort Jayeshkumar Kanani
collection DOAJ
description Aim: Aluminum phosphide poisoning poses significant challenges both in clinical and forensic settings due to its high fatality rate and diverse clinical manifestations. While the clinical symptoms of aluminum phosphide toxicity are well-documented, certain autopsy findings, particularly a rare greenish discoloration of organs, remain poorly understood. Methods: A prospective observational study was conducted over an eight-month period to analyze the occurrence of unusual green discoloration of tissues during autopsies in aluminum phosphide poisoning cases. This study aimed to document the frequency, distribution, and potential mechanisms behind this rare phenomenon, providing insights into its clinical and forensic implications. Results: A total of 110 suspected poisoning cases were examined, of which 47 were confirmed as aluminum phosphide poisonings. Among these, three cases demonstrated gradual greenish discoloration of organs such as the heart, stomach, brain, and kidneys. Despite the presence of this unique discoloration, histopathological examination revealed no microscopic pigmentation or histological anomalies. The discoloration varied in terms of the organs involved, intensity, and the speed of onset, presenting distinct patterns across the cases. Conclusions: The etiology of this discoloration remains unknown, suggesting that biochemical or metabolic processes might play a role. This rare phenomenon underscores the need for further research to elucidate the underlying mechanisms, and highlights the importance of documenting such observations in forensic reports.
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spelling doaj-art-31b73280c2c34f9f957e12ddb01ca97d2025-08-20T02:16:55ZengPolish Society of Forensic Medicine and Criminology (PTMSiK)Archives of Forensic Medicine and Criminology0324-82671689-17162025-03-012024134835410.4467/16891716AMSIK.24.027.21226Unusual greenish tissue discoloration in fatal aluminium phosphide poisoning: clinical and forensic perspectivesJayeshkumar Kanani0https://orcid.org/0009-0004-4075-3514Mohammed Iliyas Sheikh1https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7003-755X Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, Surat Municipal Institute of Medical Education and Research Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, Surat Municipal Institute of Medical Education and Research Aim: Aluminum phosphide poisoning poses significant challenges both in clinical and forensic settings due to its high fatality rate and diverse clinical manifestations. While the clinical symptoms of aluminum phosphide toxicity are well-documented, certain autopsy findings, particularly a rare greenish discoloration of organs, remain poorly understood. Methods: A prospective observational study was conducted over an eight-month period to analyze the occurrence of unusual green discoloration of tissues during autopsies in aluminum phosphide poisoning cases. This study aimed to document the frequency, distribution, and potential mechanisms behind this rare phenomenon, providing insights into its clinical and forensic implications. Results: A total of 110 suspected poisoning cases were examined, of which 47 were confirmed as aluminum phosphide poisonings. Among these, three cases demonstrated gradual greenish discoloration of organs such as the heart, stomach, brain, and kidneys. Despite the presence of this unique discoloration, histopathological examination revealed no microscopic pigmentation or histological anomalies. The discoloration varied in terms of the organs involved, intensity, and the speed of onset, presenting distinct patterns across the cases. Conclusions: The etiology of this discoloration remains unknown, suggesting that biochemical or metabolic processes might play a role. This rare phenomenon underscores the need for further research to elucidate the underlying mechanisms, and highlights the importance of documenting such observations in forensic reports. https://ejournals.eu/czasopismo/amsik/artykul/unusual-greenish-tissue-discoloration-in-fatal-aluminium-phosphide-poisoning-clinical-and-forensic-perspectives
spellingShingle Jayeshkumar Kanani
Mohammed Iliyas Sheikh
Unusual greenish tissue discoloration in fatal aluminium phosphide poisoning: clinical and forensic perspectives
Archives of Forensic Medicine and Criminology
title Unusual greenish tissue discoloration in fatal aluminium phosphide poisoning: clinical and forensic perspectives
title_full Unusual greenish tissue discoloration in fatal aluminium phosphide poisoning: clinical and forensic perspectives
title_fullStr Unusual greenish tissue discoloration in fatal aluminium phosphide poisoning: clinical and forensic perspectives
title_full_unstemmed Unusual greenish tissue discoloration in fatal aluminium phosphide poisoning: clinical and forensic perspectives
title_short Unusual greenish tissue discoloration in fatal aluminium phosphide poisoning: clinical and forensic perspectives
title_sort unusual greenish tissue discoloration in fatal aluminium phosphide poisoning clinical and forensic perspectives
url https://ejournals.eu/czasopismo/amsik/artykul/unusual-greenish-tissue-discoloration-in-fatal-aluminium-phosphide-poisoning-clinical-and-forensic-perspectives
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AT mohammediliyassheikh unusualgreenishtissuediscolorationinfatalaluminiumphosphidepoisoningclinicalandforensicperspectives