Varshini D.R. Department of Emergency Medicine, Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research, Puducherry, India
Balamurugan Nathan Department of Emergency Medicine, Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research, Puducherry, India
Sreekara V.R. Department of Emergency Medicine, Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research, Puducherry,, India
Address for correspondence: Varshini D.R., Department of Emergency Medicine, Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research, Puducherry, India E-mail: varshinidr66@gmail.com
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Varshini DR, Nathan B, Sreekara VR. Crossroads of Industrial Chemistry and Clinical Toxicology: A Rare Case of Organotin Poisoning. Indian J Emerg Med. 2026;12(1):55-59.
Timeline
Received : November 20, 2025
Accepted : December 26, 2025
Published : March 30, 2026
Abstract
Background: Cresylic acid and tributyltin oxide (TBTO) are prevalent industrial compounds utilized in household biocides and disinfectants. Oral intake, particularly when coupled, can result in significant systemic toxicity, even though human exposure often occurs through inhalation or dermal routes. Case Presentation: A 19-year-old woman from rural India intentionally ingested a disinfectant that contained TBTO and cresylic acid, which caused multiple organ poisoning in an unusual case. She responded to supportive therapy and eventually made a complete recovery. Conclusions: This case emphasizes the possibly life-threatening risks associated
with exposure to phenolic and organotin compounds and highlights the value of early supportive treatment and careful supervision. Because there isn’t a lot of information on co-ingestion in humans, clinicians should treat such poisonings as if they were novel exposures.
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Data Sharing Statement
There are no additional data available. All raw data and code are available upon request.
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Author Contributions
All authors contributed significantly to the work and approve its publication.
Ethics Declaration
All authors contributed significantly to the work and approve its publication.
Acknowledgements
We would like to express our gratitude to the patients, their families, and all those who have contributed to this study.
Conflicts of Interest
The authors report no conflicts of interest in this work.
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Varshini DR, Nathan B, Sreekara VR. Crossroads of Industrial Chemistry and Clinical Toxicology: A Rare Case of Organotin Poisoning. Indian J Emerg Med. 2026;12(1):55-59.
This license enables reusers to distribute, remix, adapt, and build upon the material in any medium or format for noncommercial purposes only, and only so long as attribution is given to the creator.
This license enables reusers to distribute, remix, adapt, and build upon the material in any medium or format for noncommercial purposes only, and only so long as attribution is given to the creator.