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Hospital de Clínicas de São Bernardo Opens Brain Death Protocol for Young Woman Suspected of Methanol Poisoning in Adulterated Drink.
Young Woman Hospitalized in São Bernardo After Drinking Methanol Cocktail Has Brain Death Protocol Opened
The Hospital de Clínicas in São Bernardo do Campo, in the ABC Paulista region, confirmed this week the opening of the brain death protocol for Bruna Araújo de Souza, 30 years old.
The young woman was hospitalized in serious condition after consuming a cocktail made with vodka and peach juice, which is suspected of being adulterated with methanol.
The case mobilizes health and public safety authorities in São Paulo due to the severity of the poisoning.
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The family was informed about the measure, which involves a series of clinical and neurological exams to confirm the irreversible loss of brain function.
It is suspected that the drink consumed by Bruna had high concentrations of the toxic substance.
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How the Brain Death Protocol Works
The brain death protocol follows strict criteria defined by the Federal Council of Medicine. Among the mandatory procedures are:
- two clinical exams that prove the absence of neurological reflexes and brainstem function;
- test to verify the absence of respiratory movements;
- complementary exam that confirms the lack of brain activity.
In Bruna’s case, all these exams are underway at the Hospital de Clínicas in São Bernardo do Campo.
What Is Methanol and Why Is It So Dangerous
Methanol is an industrial alcohol used in solvents, fuels, and even in laboratory processes. Unlike ethanol — found in alcoholic beverages — it is highly toxic to the human body.
Ingestion, even in small amounts, can cause symptoms such as nausea, dizziness, vomiting, seizures, blindness, and even death. Because it is colorless and has a taste similar to that of common alcohol, methanol is difficult to detect in adulterated beverages.
Symptoms Emerged After a Show
According to family and friends, Bruna visited a bar in São Bernardo do Campo on Sunday (28), where she watched a pagode show and consumed alcoholic beverages.
However, the symptoms only appeared the next day.
“She was happy, having fun. But the next day she had nausea, vomiting, and blurred vision,” reported her friend Gabriela Damasceno.
Bruna was initially taken to a UPA and then intubated and transferred to the Hospital de Clínicas, where she remains hospitalized.
Medical Care and Use of Antidote
According to the family, the young woman received the so-called “antidote” against methanol poisoning, as well as hemodialysis sessions, a resource used to try to eliminate the substance from the body.
Karin, a family member, reported that a doctor at the hospital reinforced the suspicion of high methanol concentrations in the patient’s body.
Bruna’s boyfriend also exhibited symptoms and was hospitalized in another healthcare facility in the region, which reinforces the investigation into adulterated drinks.
Police Investigate the Origin of the Adulterated Beverage
The Civil Police is investigating the distributor that allegedly provided the beverages consumed by Bruna and other patrons of the bar.
The owner interviewed by the police denied being solely responsible for the supply.
The investigation aims to identify the origin of the adulteration, as the use of methanol in alcoholic beverages is illegal and criminal.
Methanol Poisoning Cases Raise Alarm in São Paulo
This case in São Bernardo do Campo is not isolated. Health authorities reinforce the alert about consuming beverages of dubious origin, which may be mixed with toxic substances.
In addition to the devastating impact on victims and their families, incidents like this highlight the need for greater oversight in bars, distributors, and producers of beverages.
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