Toxicology
Code: 102663 ECTS Credits: 5| Degree | Type | Year |
|---|---|---|
| 2502445 Veterinary Medicine | OB | 4 |
Contact
- Name:
- Eva Castells Caballe
- Email:
- eva.castells@uab.cat
Teachers
- Angel Bistue Rovira
- María Ángeles Martínez Rodríguez
Teaching groups languages
You can view this information at the end of this document.
Prerequisites
It is advisable to have a good knowledge of chemistry, biochemistry, physics, cell biology, physiology, pharmacology and pathology. A good level of English and a critical reading ability of toxicological information (books, review articles, original articles) are also recommended. In order to be able to attend the sessions of laboratory practices, the student must justify having passed the biosafety and security tests that he/she will find in the Virtual Campus and accept the operation regulations of the laboratories of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine.
Objectives and Contextualisation
Toxicology is a fundamental subject in the second semester of the 4th year of the Veterinary Medicine Degree, and part of the subject Pharmacology, Toxicology and Therapeutics. Its objective is to provide the basic knowledge of what is currently the science of toxicology, specifically the fundamental toxicological principles (experimental toxicology, analytical toxicology and regulatory toxicology) and in the important branches of environmental toxicology (= pollutants) and of veterinary clinical toxicology (= diagnosis and treatment of poisonings, including the use of antidotes). The specific study of the main toxic agents that affect or can affect the health of animals, both domestic and wild, or contaminate food, such as gases and volatiles, metals and non-metals, ionizing radiation, pesticides, products for domestic and industrial use, and toxins, is also carried out. The approach is multifaceted, useful for veterinarians who end up dedicating themselves to clinic but also to those who will work on production and animal health, food safety, R & D or biomedical research.
Competences
- Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the general bases of medical and surgical treatments.
- Draft and present satisfactory professional reports, always maintaining the required confidentiality.
- Perform basic analytical techniques and interpret the clinical, biological and chemical results, and interpret the results of tests generated by other laboratories.
- Perform the most common medical and surgical treatments of animals.
- Prescribe and dispense medicines correctly and responsibly in accordance with legislation, and ensure that the medicines and waste are stored and eliminated properly.
- Work effectively in single or multidisciplinary teams and show respect, appreciation and sensitivity for the work of others.
Learning Outcomes
- Critically evaluate data on the circumstances of intoxication or poisoning, the signs and symptoms, pathology and others, which should lead to a diagnosis and the establishment of treatment guidelines for the intoxicated patient or patients.
- Define the general and specific bases for the treatment of intoxications.
- Describe the fundamental principles that govern experimental and analytical toxicology.
- Draft and present satisfactory professional reports, always maintaining the required confidentiality.
- Identify and interpret the legislation affecting medicinal waste in foods.
- Identify and interpret the phases of drug development and know the bodies involved in their development and authorisation.
- Recognise and identify the different available antidotes and plan their use in cases of intoxication in domestic and wild animals, as well as decontamination techniques.
- Recognise and identify the main toxic agents that contaminate, impregnate or intoxicate wild and domesticated animals and, in particular, gaseous and volatile agents, metals and non-metals, pesticides, products for domestic and industrial use and toxins, and their possible accidental or deliberate presence in water or foods.
- Select, collect and issue samples to perform toxicological analyses and draft the corresponding reports for the receiver laboratory.
- Use the basic preparatory and analytical techniques of a toxicology laboratory, applying at all times basic safety and risk prevention standards, and draft the corresponding assessment report.
- Work effectively in single or multidisciplinary teams and show respect, appreciation and sensitivity for the work of others.
Content
THEORY*
Toxicology syllabus (Veterinary Medicine, Course 22_23)
Bloc A. Introduction to veterinary toxicology
Lesson 1. General concepts of toxicology. Fields of study of toxicology. One Health perspective. Exposure vs effects. Origin of toxic substances. Some basics about toxicology. Most frequent poisonings in pets, wildlife, production animals. Toxic substances present in food.
Lesson 2. Basic principles of toxicology. Definition of toxicity. Factors that determine toxicity: characteristics of the substance, the organism and the environment.
Bloc B. Toxic substances
Lesson 3. Pesticides. Organochlorine insecticides. Anticholinesterasic insecticides (organophosphates and carbamates). Pyrethroids. Neonicotinoids. Rodenticides, anticoagulants and convulsants. Herbicides (glyphosate, paraquat).
Lesson 4. Industrial pollutants and metals. POP. Dioxins. PBDE. Metals: Pb, Cd, Hg, As. Ethylenglycol.
Lesson 5. Toxins. Phytotoxins Cyanogenetic plants, plants containing oxalates, tannins, estrogen, cardiotoxic glucosides, glucosinolates, nitrites and nitrates. Neurotoxic (theobromine, caffeine) and hepatotoxic (pyrrolizidine alkaloids) alkaloids. Other plants that cause poisoning: cycas, cannabis, onions, garlic, grapes. Mycotoxins Aflatoxins, ochratoxins, fumonisins, ergot alkaloids. Animal toxins. Marine toxins. Venoms of snakes, insects and arachnids.
Bloc C. Phases of toxicity: from exposure to effects
Lesson 6. Environmental toxicology. Distribution and transport of pollutants by the abiotic environment. Transport in fluids. Bioaccessibility. Pollutant behaviour prediction, physicochemical properties and partition coefficients H', Koc.
Lesson 7. Toxicokinetics (I). Absorption and metabolism. Dose and internal exposure. Absorption. Types of cell transport. Routes of exposure. Absorption rates. Distribution. Pre-systemic elimination. Plasma proteins. Accumulation and remobilization. Metabolism. Phases I and II of metabolism. Characteristics of metabolism: specificity, induction and inhibition. Detoxification and metabolic activation.
Lesson 8. Toxicokinetics (II). Bioaccumulation and excretion. Concept of biological half-life. Bioaccumulation in tissues. Excretion. Relationship between metabolism and excretion. Biomagnification.
Lesson 9. Toxicodynamics (I). Types of toxic effects. Classification of effects according to temporality (acute, subchronic, chronic). Toxicity at the molecular level. Toxicity in organs and systems: nervous system, respiratory system, cardiovascular system, hepatotoxicity, renal system.
Lesson 10. Toxicodynamics (II). Genotoxicity. Carcinogenesis. Teratogenesis. Endocrine disruptors.
Bloc D. Veterinary clinical toxicology
Lesson 11. Diagnosis of poisonings. Medical history. Sampling in toxicology. General diagnosis of poisonings. Toxic syndromes. Diagnostic tests.
Lesson 12. Analytical toxicology. Chemical and biological monitoring. Phases of chemical monitoring: pre-analytical, analytical and post-analytical. Extraction, purification and determination of an analyte. Chromatography. Calculation of concentrations. Interpretation of toxicological analysis. Reference centres and laboratories of interest in Toxicology.
Lesson 13. Treatment of poisonings. Decontamination. General guidelines for the treatment of an intoxicated animal. Measures to prevent the absorption of the toxic substance. Symptomatic treatment. Classification of antidotes according to their mechanism of action.
Bloc E. Evaluation of toxicity
Lesson 14. Experimental toxicology. Models for assessing toxicity. Theoretical estimates. In vitro studies. In vivo studies. Epidemiological studies. Risk communication. toxicological. Globally Harmonized System (GHS). Labelling of chemical products and safety data sheets.
Lesson 15. Quantitative toxicology. Dose and concentration concept. Type of response. Acute toxicity index (LD50, CL50). Subchronic (NOAEL, LOAEL, BMDL) and chronic toxicity index. Maximum exposure limits (ADI, TDI, RfD). Uncertainty factors. Maximum permissible concentrations (MRL). Characterization of toxicological risk.
Lesson 16. Food toxicology. Toxins present in food and food safety. RASFF alert system.
CLASSROOM PRACTICES (PAUL)/SEMINARS*
- Search for toxicological information in open access databases
- Clinical cases of poisoning in horses, dogs and wild boar
- Clinical cases in farm animals and poisonings from consumption of contaminated food
- Tutorials and discussion, poster production
LABORATORY PRACTICES (PLAB)*
Activities and Methodology
| Title | Hours | ECTS | Learning Outcomes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Type: Directed | |||
| Laboratory work | 7.5 | 0.3 | 1, 3, 8, 9, 10 |
| Lectures | 21 | 0.84 | 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8 |
| Seminars and problems | 12.5 | 0.5 | 3, 8 |
| Type: Autonomous | |||
| Individual work | 56 | 2.24 | 1, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8 |
| Preparation, elaboration and evaluation of a work with scientific format | 25 | 1 | 1, 2, 7, 8, 4, 11 |
| Resolution of cases and problems | 1.6 | 0.06 | 1, 2, 8, 4 |
Theory*. The teacher will explain much of the contents of the syllabus with the support of visual material that will be available to the students in the Moodle/Virtual Campus. These keynote sessions will deal with the main topics of the subject, which will have to be extended and confronted autonomously by the students as personal work. The teaching material that should be used will basically consist of books and review articles.
PAUL/Seminars*. Complementary to the theory classes, PAUL and seminars will address (with use of ICT) specific topics related to poison and contaminant agents. The active participation of all students will be promoted during the resolution/discussion of the issues/situations/problems/cases that may arise. During the preparation of the work, individual or group tutorials, face-to-face or virtual, will be available, with the objective of solving doubts and guide students on their elaboration.
Laboratory practices*. Practical sessions for the observation and execution of procedures, methodologies and techniques that are used in the study of toxic agents. Group work and active self-learning is promoted.
Annotation: Within the schedule set by the centre or degree programme, 15 minutes of one class will be reserved for students to evaluate their lecturers and their courses or modules through questionnaires.
Assessment
Continous Assessment Activities
| Title | Weighting | Hours | ECTS | Learning Outcomes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cases and class activities | 10 | 0 | 0 | 1, 2, 7, 8, 4 |
| First partial test | 25 | 0.6 | 0.02 | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8 |
| Scientific poster | 15 | 0 | 0 | 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, 11 |
| Second partial test | 50 | 0.8 | 0.03 | 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 |
Evaluation*
The competences of this subject will be evaluated by:
a) A first mid-term partial exam, where the theory program and the seminars carried out to date will be evaluated. Worth 25% of the final grade.
b) A second exam (2nd partial exam) at the end of the course, where all the content of theory, seminars and laboratory practices will be evaluated. Worth 50% of the final grade.
c) Preparation of a scientific poster that will be prepared in groups throughout the semester on a topic of toxicology. Worth 15% of the final grade
d) Case resolution and classroom activities. Worth 10% of the final grade
To pass the subject, the weighted average grade of the two exams and the overall grade of the subject (calculated from the weighted average for all activities) must be equal to or greater than 5.0. Therefore, the subject will be considered 'failed' when:
- The weighted average grade of the two exams does not reach a minimum of 5.0. In this case, the final grade will be listed as 'failed' regardless of the grade for the other activities
- The weighted average grade of the two exams is equal to or greater than 5.0 but the overall average of the subject is less than 5.0
When the student does not carry out any of the activities of evaluation these will score 0. The no attendance by unjustified reasons to a laboratory practice or seminar will subtract 0,25 points to the final grade. A student will be considered non-assessable when his/her participation in assessment activities represents ≤ 15% of the final grade. In order to take the reevaluation exam, the student must have previously been assessed in a set of activities that represent a minimum of two thirds of the final grade of the subject. The mark of the reevaluation exam will replace the weighted average mark of the midterm exams.
This course does not use the one-time evaluation system.
Bibliography
GUPTA PK. Concepts and Applications in Veterinary Toxicology: An Interactive Guide. Springer, 2019. [https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-030-22250-5]
GUPTA R (ed.). Veterinary Toxicology: Basic and Clinical Principles. Academic Press, 2018. [https://www-sciencedirect-com.are.uab.cat/book/9780128114100/veterinary-toxicology?via=ihub=]
HOVDA L, BRUTLAG A, POPPENGA R, PETERSON K (eds.). Small Animal Toxicology. Wiley-Blackwell, 2016. [https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/uab/detail.action?pq-origsite=primo&docID=4432247]
HOVDA, Lynn R., BENSON D, and POPPENGA RH, (eds.) Blackwell’s Five-Minute Veterinary Consult Clinical Companion : Equine Toxicology.Wiley Blackwell, 2022. [https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/book/10.1002/9781119671527]
KLAASSEN CD (ed.). Casarett & Doull's Toxicology: The Basic Science of Poisons. McGraw-Hill, 2019. [https://bibcercador.uab.cat/permalink/34CSUC_UAB/avjcib/alma991006004139706709]
NORKUS CL., ed. Veterinary Technician’s Manual for Small Animal Emergency and Critical Care 2nd ed. Wiley Blackwell, 2019 [https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/book/10.1002/9781119536598]
PETERSON ME, TALCOTT PA. Small Animal Toxicology. Elsevier-Saunders, 2013. [https://catalegclassic-uab-cat.are.uab.cat/record=b1889652~S1*cat]
PLUMLEE KH. Clinical Veterinary Toxicology. Mosby, 2004. [https://catalegclassic-uab-cat.are.uab.cat/record=b1795897~S1*cat]
REPETTO M, REPETTO G. Toxicología Fundamental. Díaz de Santos, 2009. [https://catalegclassic-uab-cat.are.uab.cat/record=b2094439~S1*cat]
TIMBRELL J. Principles of Biochemical Toxicology. CRC Press, 2008. [https://catalegclassic-uab-cat.are.uab.cat/record=b2092203~S1*cat]
WALKER CH, HOPKIN SP, SIBLY RM, PEAKALL DB. Principles of Ecotoxicology. CRC Press, 2005.
Software
None.
Language list
| Name | Group | Language | Semester | Turn |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| (PAUL) Classroom practices | 1 | Catalan | second semester | morning-mixed |
| (PAUL) Classroom practices | 2 | Catalan | second semester | morning-mixed |
| (PAUL) Classroom practices | 3 | Catalan | second semester | morning-mixed |
| (PLAB) Practical laboratories | 1 | Catalan | second semester | morning-mixed |
| (PLAB) Practical laboratories | 2 | Catalan | second semester | morning-mixed |
| (PLAB) Practical laboratories | 3 | Catalan | second semester | morning-mixed |
| (PLAB) Practical laboratories | 4 | Catalan | second semester | morning-mixed |
| (PLAB) Practical laboratories | 5 | Catalan | second semester | morning-mixed |
| (PLAB) Practical laboratories | 6 | Catalan | second semester | morning-mixed |
| (TE) Theory | 1 | Catalan | second semester | afternoon |
| (TE) Theory | 2 | Catalan | second semester | afternoon |