Bromide, Plasma

Diagnostic Use

Methyl bromide is a gaseous chemical used as a fumigant for large enclosed industrial and agricultural areas. Bromide is also used as a sedative. Bromides act by depressing central nervous system activity and have shown moderate anticonvulsant activity against tonic seizures. They are now very seldom used as anticonvulsants.

Methyl bromide is known to be partially converted to inorganic bromide. The contribution of this metabolite to the toxicity of the parent compound is unclear, but since inorganic blood concentrations after methyl bromide poisoning are generally much lower than during intoxication of bromide salts, it seems likely that the methyl bromide is the primary toxic agent. Toxicity may develop after a latent period of several hours and is manifested by confusion, abdominal pain, weakness, nausea, convulsions, coma and occasionally pulmonary oedema.

Department

Lipids/Trace Metals

Delphic Registration Code

PBR

Laboratory Handling

Test Adds

Refrigerated (preferred) 30 days, frozen 365 days metal free

Turnaround Time

5 days

Test Code

9168

Specimen Type

• Plasma

Specimen Requirements

Tube/Container Type:

Preferred

• Trace Element (Royal Blue Cap)

Acceptable

• Lithium Heparin - Non-gel (Green Cap)

Preferred Sample Volume (ml)

6

Minimum Sample Volume (ml)

1

No of Samples Required

1

Paediatric Specimen Requirements

Tube/Container Type:

Preferred

• Trace Element (Royal Blue Cap)

Acceptable

• Lithium Heparin - Non-gel (Green Cap)

Preferred Sample Volume (ml)

2

Minimum Sample Volume (ml)

1

Aliquot Instructions

Sample Type

• Plasma

Minimum Volume (ml)

1.0

Transport to Lab

Chilled (2 - 8 degrees Celsius)

Interpretation

Plasma levels of 750 – 1000 mg/L have been found to be effective in the treatment of epilepsy, although many patients may show signs of toxicity at these concentrations.

Re Woodbury (1972) in “Disposition of Toxic Drugs and Chemicals in Man”,
Randall C Baselt second edition 1982 Biomedical Publications.

Reference Intervals

Normal bromide concentrations in unexposed people range from 0.03 – 015 mmol/L depending on diet.

Toxic levels may occur at levels of 0.38 mmol/L (30 mg/L) with severe symptoms at levels of 1.5 mmol/L (120 mg/L).

(Source: National Poisons Centre, Dunedin)

Test Method

ICP-MS

Non-Funded Test Cost

$66.34 (Exclusive of GST)

Billing Code

9168

Contact Information

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Contact Information

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