Confirmation of indandione rodenticide toxicoses by mass spectrometry/mass spectrometry

J Vet Diagn Invest. 1992 Oct;4(4):441-6. doi: 10.1177/104063879200400413.

Abstract

Mass spectrometry/mass spectrometry (MS/MS) with collision-activated dissociation (CAD) was utilized to unequivocally distinguish 1,3-indandione rodenticides in 2 cases of anticoagulant toxicosis. Anecdotal evidence provided by the veterinarian in a case involving feedlot cows and physical evidence at the site of occurrence in a similar case involving lambs strongly implicated diphenadione (diphacinone; DP) in both instances. However, high performance liquid chromatography indicated chlorophacinone (CP), not DP, was present in the blood samples obtained from both cows and lambs. Intact 1,3-indandiones exhibit poor gas chromatographic properties, so procedures were developed for analysis by MS/MS using a direct exposure probe for sample introduction. The EI mass spectra of DP and CP contained a base peak at m/z 173, with molecular ions (M+) at m/z 340 and m/z 374 (Cl isotope cluster), respectively. Corresponding MS/MS CAD parent ion spectra of m/z 173 showed an ion of m/z 340 for DP and 374 (Cl cluster) for CP. CAD analysis of the blood extracts showed a parent ion scan of m/z 173 identical to that of CP, with the m/z 374 (Cl cluster). (Additional evidence was obtained by MS/MS examination of the CAD daughter ion spectrum of m/z 374.) Blood extracts from the affected animals revealed CAD daughter ion spectra for m/z 374 identical to that of reference CP. Positive confirmation of CP in both cases led to identification of the source of the toxicant and prevention of further animal exposures.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cattle
  • Chromatography, Gel / veterinary
  • Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid / veterinary
  • Chromatography, Thin Layer / veterinary
  • Indans / analysis*
  • Indans / poisoning
  • Mass Spectrometry / methods
  • Mass Spectrometry / veterinary*
  • Phenindione / analogs & derivatives*
  • Phenindione / analysis
  • Phenindione / poisoning
  • Rodenticides / analysis*
  • Rodenticides / poisoning
  • Sheep

Substances

  • Indans
  • Rodenticides
  • chlorophacinone
  • diphenadione
  • Phenindione