The Novichok, or "newcomer" class of nerve agents are lesser characterized, weaponized organophosphate agents. The use of known Novichok agents in warfare is banned under the Chemical Weapons Convention of 1997. Novichok agents are considered more potent than VX gas and can be applied in unitary and binary forms. Like other nerve agents, Novichok agents irreversibly bind acetylcholinesterase and produce a cholinergic toxidrome. Uniquely, these agents are thought to also target neurons in the peripheral nervous system. Delayed treatment or massive exposure may therefore cause a debilitating neuropathy. The recent 2018 assassination attempt of Russian dissident Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia in the United Kingdom highlights the importance of recognizing the potential lethal effects of these nerve agents. Treatment of Novichok agent poisoning is similar to management of other nerve agents. Given increasing worldwide incidents attributed to chemical weapons such as Novichok agents, clinicians should know how to rapidly recognize symptoms of acute poisoning and administer life-saving antidotal therapy, when indicated.
Title: Chemical warfare agent NOVICHOK - mini-review of available data Nepovimova E, Kuca K Ref: Food & Chemical Toxicology, 121:343, 2018 : PubMed
The Cold War period is characterized by the infighting between the Western countries and the USSR in diverse areas. One of such fields was development of the weapons of mass destruction. Within various programs on both sides, a wide scale of different agents have been developed. However, information about some of them are still protected under the designation "top secret". Notwithstanding, in history several cases are known when such information beheld the daylight. One of such cases was the program FOLIANT and NOVICHOK. Both programs were developed by the USSR as a reaction to English/American invention of VX agent. If at least a part of available information is truthful, we can allege that these compounds belong among the most toxic synthetic agents ever. Within this contribution, we have reviewed available Eastern and Western data about the A-agents and their precursors, so-called NOVICHOKs, including their history, synthesis, physical-chemical properties, pharmacological characteristics and clinical manifestation.
Title: Novichok: a murderous nerve agent attack in the UK Vale JA, Marrs TO, Maynard RC Ref: Clinical Toxicology (Phila), 56:1093, 2018 : PubMed
