The history of Department of Toxicology (DTOX) began on 1^st September 1951. At the beginning of the 50´s, the activity of DTOX was focused to the teaching purposes. Later on, some research projects were set up, especially on mustard gas, cyanides and nerve agent topics. The research results were classified as „secret” and were not submitted into scientific journals. The research output consisted in the development of the acetylcholinesterase reactivator pralidoxime (2-PAM Spofa) that was introduced into the Czechoslovak Armed Forces.

In the sixties, the lay injection syringe for atropine self-administration (LIS, 1965) was introduced into the Czechoslovak Armed Forces. Based on the research results, the maximal tolerable doses of nerve agents and mustards were proposed. The new possibilities were opened for scientific result presentation in 1968 and the number of publication in the foreign journals had increased.

On the beginning of 70´s, the scientific results were again classified as secret, however, the research activities successfully continued thanks to modern instrumentation (e.g. fluorimeter, ultracentrifuge, autoanalyzer). The research was focused on the protection against the nerve agents and the incapacitating agents, especially BZ agent. Simultaneously, other activities were aimed at decontamination. The new decontamination mean based on sorption-mechanic principle was introduced into the Czechoslovak Armed Forces (IPB-80) or for civilian use (Desprach). The DTOX was also involved in the research and development of water purification agent (Dikacid) that was also introduced into the Czechoslovak Armed Forces.

beginning of the 80´s might be characterized as the development of the medical protection against the effects of nerve agents and incapacitating agent BZ. The highly effective antidotes were successfully tested and developed based on mechanism of action of such toxic compounds. Some of them are still in use in the Czech Armed Forces, such as the antidotes against nerve agents – parasympatolytics Chonol I (atropinium sulphate) and Chonol II (benactyzine), acetylcholinesterase reactivators trimedoxime dichloride (Fosan) and methoxime dichloride (Renol), or the antidote against incapacitating BZ agent (7-MEOTA). Simultaneously, the development of the binary autoinjector (GAI, containing atropinium sulphate and obidoxime dichloride) was finished and it was introduced in the Czechoslovak Armed Forces.

In the 80-90´s, up-to-date most effective acetylcholinesterase reactivator against nerve agents, asoxime dichloride (HI-6), was intensively studied and it was introduced into the Czech Armed Forces (Antiva). The reversible cholinesterase inhibitors (e.g. pyridostigmine chloride) were developed as a component of prophylactic drug against nerve agent poisoning.

Since 90´s, the cooperation with western countries including NATO was established and publication activity had increased. The intensive research was focused on the non-cholinergic effects of the nerve agents, the improved treatment of soman and tabun intoxication and the effect of low-level sarin inhalation exposure.

Heads of the Department of Toxicology

• Col. Prof. Zdenek Fink, M.D., Sc.D. (1952-1968)
• Col. Assoc. Prof. Vladislav Vondracek, M.D., Ph.D. (1968-1973)
• Col. Prof. Vratislav Hrdina, M.D., Ph.D. (1973-1989)
• Col. Assoc. Prof. Jiri Bajgar, M.D., Sc.D. (1989-1993)
• Col. Prof. Josef Fusek, M.D., Sc.D. (1993-2003)
• Col. Prof. Jiri Kassa, M.D., Ph.D. (since 2003)