Vitreous Humour Biochemical Parameters As Indicators for Corroborating Acute Sniper (Dichlorvos) Induced Death

Sniper, whose active ingredient is dichlorvos, is one of the leading causes of pesticide poisoning and death. Sniper induced death is suggested to be increasing in Nigeria without a scientific basis for discriminating ante-mortem from postmortem intoxication. The study is aimed at using vitreous biochemical parameters such as proteins, lipids, electrolytes and renal function markers in corroborating sniper induced death. A total of twenty one rabbits were used for the study. The animals were divided into three groups of seven each. The control death (CD), post-mortem sniper contamination death (PSCD) and truly sniper induced death (TSID) groups. The TSID group undertook ante-mortem ingestion of 10 ml of sniper, whereas, PSCD post-mortem ingestion. The CD was sacrificed mechanically without sniper ingestion. Thereafter vitreous humour was collected. Samples were centrifuged, separated and supernatant analyzed for the studied parameters using WHO approved methods. The result showed a significant decrease (p<0.05) in vitreous chloride and glucose concentrations in both PSCD and TSID when compared to the CD. On the contrary, the vitreous proteins and sodium concentrations increased significantly (p<0.05) in the TSID when compared to the CD. In conclusion, it is suggested that the decrease in vitreous chloride concentration and increase in vitreous sodium, total protein, albumin and globulin concentrations could serve as an indicators of sniper poisoning.