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The Veterinary Clinics of North... Nov 2020In the western United States, poisonous plants most often affect grazing livestock, and the related livestock losses are estimated to cost the grazing livestock industry... (Review)
Review
In the western United States, poisonous plants most often affect grazing livestock, and the related livestock losses are estimated to cost the grazing livestock industry more than $200 million annually. Many of these toxic plants contain neurotoxins that damage or alter the function of neurologic cells in the central and peripheral nervous systems. The objectives of this article are to present common North American neurotoxic plants, including conditions of poisoning, clinical disease, pathologic changes, and available diagnostics, to identify poisoned animals and the potential prognosis for poisoned animals.
Topics: Animals; Livestock; Neurotoxicity Syndromes; Neurotoxins; Plant Poisoning; Plants, Toxic; United States
PubMed: 33032698
DOI: 10.1016/j.cvfa.2020.08.002 -
Wilderness & Environmental Medicine Mar 2016The American Association of Poison Control Centers has continued to report approximately 50,000 telephone calls or 8% of incoming calls annually related to plant... (Review)
Review
The American Association of Poison Control Centers has continued to report approximately 50,000 telephone calls or 8% of incoming calls annually related to plant exposures, mostly in children. Although the frequency of plant ingestions in children is related to the presence of popular species in households, adolescents may experiment with hallucinogenic plants; and trekkers and foragers may misidentify poisonous plants as edible. Since plant exposures have continued at a constant rate, the objectives of this review were (1) to review the epidemiology of plant poisonings; and (2) to propose a rapid toxidromic classification system for highly toxic plant ingestions for field use by first responders in comparison to current classification systems. Internet search engines were queried to identify and select peer-reviewed articles on plant poisonings using the key words in order to classify plant poisonings into four specific toxidromes: cardiotoxic, neurotoxic, cytotoxic, and gastrointestinal-hepatotoxic. A simple toxidromic classification system of plant poisonings may permit rapid diagnoses of highly toxic versus less toxic and nontoxic plant ingestions both in households and outdoors; direct earlier management of potentially serious poisonings; and reduce costly inpatient evaluations for inconsequential plant ingestions. The current textbook classification schemes for plant poisonings were complex in comparison to the rapid classification system; and were based on chemical nomenclatures and pharmacological effects, and not on clearly presenting toxidromes. Validation of the rapid toxidromic classification system as compared to existing chemical classification systems for plant poisonings will require future adoption and implementation of the toxidromic system by its intended users.
Topics: Emergency Medicine; Humans; Plant Poisoning; Plants, Toxic
PubMed: 26948561
DOI: 10.1016/j.wem.2015.11.006 -
The Veterinary Clinics of North... Nov 2020The liver is one of the most commonly affected organs by ingested toxicants. This article familiarizes veterinarians with clinical signs, serum biochemistry changes,... (Review)
Review
The liver is one of the most commonly affected organs by ingested toxicants. This article familiarizes veterinarians with clinical signs, serum biochemistry changes, necropsy findings, and field information found in livestock poisonings with hepatotoxic plants. The focus is on the most common plant-derived hepatotoxins important to livestock in North America. Pyrrolizidine alkaloids are covered in greater detail than the other toxins, because they are likely the most important plant-derived toxins worldwide in livestock, wildlife, and even human exposure. Additionally, many of the principles discussed regarding clinical diagnosis of pyrrolizidine alkaloid intoxication can be applied to the other poisonous plants listed.
Topics: Animals; Cattle; Cattle Diseases; Liver Diseases; Livestock; North America; Plant Poisoning; Plants, Toxic; Pyrrolizidine Alkaloids
PubMed: 33032701
DOI: 10.1016/j.cvfa.2020.08.003 -
The Annals of Pharmacotherapy Jun 2018Yew plant materials contain highly toxic taxine alkaloids. Serious ingestions can result in life-threatening toxicity. The purpose of this article is to summarize the... (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVES
Yew plant materials contain highly toxic taxine alkaloids. Serious ingestions can result in life-threatening toxicity. The purpose of this article is to summarize the literature on the treatment of acute yew poisoning.
DATA SOURCES
PubMed (January 1946 to November 2017) was searched using the search terms "taxus/po". EMBASE (1980 to November 2017) was searched using the search terms "taxus/to" and "yew.mp." Web of Science (1945 to November 2017) was searched using the text words taxus, taxine, and yew.
STUDY SELECTION AND DATA EXTRACTION
Available English language articles involving case reports, epidemiology, treatment, and outcomes were included.
DATA SYNTHESIS
Although not uncommon, unintentional yew poisoning rarely results in significant morbidity or mortality. A total of 26 case reports of yew poisoning were evaluated along with 4 case series articles (totaling 22 additional cases). Only 4 of the 48 total cases (8%) were accidental poisonings, the rest being deliberate ingestions. In 20 patients (42%), it resulted in fatalities. Severe, acute yew poisoning results in symptomatology largely resistant to pharmacotherapy intervention.
CONCLUSIONS
Most nonintentional ingestions of yew plant constituents are asymptomatic and require little intervention. Severe poisoning can result in life-threatening cardiac toxicity and require aggressive supportive care. Therapeutic interventions, such as sodium bicarbonate, digoxin immune fab, and hemodialysis that have been utilized in case studies and case series in the literature have little proven benefit. Extracorporeal life support should be considered in severe yew poisoning.
Topics: Animals; Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation; Humans; Plant Poisoning; Taxus
PubMed: 29363354
DOI: 10.1177/1060028017754225 -
Toxins Jul 2023Exposure to phytotoxins that are present in imported ornamental or native plants is an important cause of animal disease. Factors such as animal behaviors (especially... (Review)
Review
Exposure to phytotoxins that are present in imported ornamental or native plants is an important cause of animal disease. Factors such as animal behaviors (especially indoor pets), climate change, and an increase in the global market for household and ornamental plants led to the appearance of new, previously unreported plant poisonings in Europe. This has resulted in an increase in the incidence of rarely reported intoxications. This review presents some of the emerging and well-established plant species that are responsible for poisoning episodes in companion animals and livestock in Europe. The main plant species are described, and the mechanism of action of the primary active agents and their clinical effects are presented. Data reflecting the real incidence of emerging poisoning cases from plant toxins are scarce to nonexistent in most European countries due to a lack of a centralized reporting/poison control system. The diversity of plant species and phytotoxins, as well as the emerging nature of certain plant poisonings, warrant a continuous update of knowledge by veterinarians and animal owners. The taxonomy and active agents present in these plants should be communicated to ensure awareness of the risks these toxins pose for domestic animals.
Topics: Animals; Plant Poisoning; Animals, Domestic; Europe; Toxins, Biological; Animal Diseases; Poisoning
PubMed: 37505711
DOI: 10.3390/toxins15070442 -
Toxins Oct 2020Animal feeds may contain exogenous compounds that can induce toxicity when ruminants ingest them. These toxins are secondary metabolites originating from various sources... (Review)
Review
Animal feeds may contain exogenous compounds that can induce toxicity when ruminants ingest them. These toxins are secondary metabolites originating from various sources including plants, bacteria, algae and fungi. Animal feed toxins are responsible for various animal poisonings which negatively impact the livestock industry. Poisoning is more frequently reported in newly exposed, naïve ruminants while 'experienced' ruminants are observed to better tolerate toxin-contaminated feed. Ruminants can possess detoxification ability through rumen microorganisms with the rumen microbiome able to adapt to utilise toxic secondary metabolites. The ability of rumen microorganisms to metabolise these toxins has been used as a basis for the development of preventative probiotics to confer resistance against the poisoning to naïve ruminants. In this review, detoxification of various toxins, which include plant toxins, cyanobacteria toxins and plant-associated fungal mycotoxins, by rumen microorganisms is discussed. The review will include clinical studies of the animal poisoning caused by these toxins, the toxin mechanism of action, toxin degradation by rumen microorganisms, reported and hypothesised detoxification mechanisms and identified toxin metabolites with their toxicity compared to their parent toxin. This review highlights the commercial potential of rumen inoculum derived probiotics as viable means of improving ruminant health and production.
Topics: Animal Feed; Animals; Bacteria; Bacterial Toxins; Food Microbiology; Inactivation, Metabolic; Mycotoxins; Plant Poisoning; Plants, Toxic; Probiotics; Rumen; Ruminants
PubMed: 33092236
DOI: 10.3390/toxins12100664 -
Toxicon : Official Journal of the... Oct 2020Pimelea poisoning of cattle, historically known as St. George Disease or Marree Disease, is a prevailing issue in arid grazing regions of inland Australia. Ingestion of... (Review)
Review
Pimelea poisoning of cattle, historically known as St. George Disease or Marree Disease, is a prevailing issue in arid grazing regions of inland Australia. Ingestion of the toxic native Pimelea species that contain the secondary metabolite simplexin, a diterpene orthoester with potent protein kinase C activity, induces diarrhoea, characteristic oedema and potentially fatal right-sided heart failure in cattle. Outbreaks of toxic Pimelea in the grazing field depend on seasonal prevalence. However, all stages of the plant carry the toxin, from seeds, juvenile plants to dead plant material. Livestock generally avoid consuming green Pimelea plants and only consume toxic Pimelea when pasture is minimal or where Pimelea growing through grass tussocks results in inadvertent ingestion. Our knowledge base of Pimelea poisoning has greatly improved with past research, yet the health hazards for livestock grazing in Pimelea affected pastures remains a significant issue whilst the ongoing search to develop effective strategies to mitigate poisoning continues. The goal of this review is to collate historical and recent research giving an overview of the current understandings of Pimelea poisoning, the toxin, its toxic effects and progress made towards remedies to alleviate the effects of Pimelea intoxication.
Topics: Animals; Cattle; Cattle Diseases; Diterpenes; Livestock; Plant Poisoning; Terpenes; Thymelaeaceae; Toxins, Biological
PubMed: 32730770
DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2020.07.023 -
Indian Journal of Critical Care... Dec 2019India has a very high incidence of poisoning. While most cases are due to chemicals or drugs or envenomation by venomous creatures, a significant proportion also results...
UNLABELLED
India has a very high incidence of poisoning. While most cases are due to chemicals or drugs or envenomation by venomous creatures, a significant proportion also results from consumption or exposure to toxic plants or plant parts or products. The exact nature of plant poisoning varies from region to region, but certain plants are almost ubiquitous in distribution, and among these, Oleander and Datura are the prime examples. These plants are commonly encountered in almost all parts of India. While one is a wild shrub (Datura) that proliferates in the countryside and by roadsides, and the other (Oleander) is a garden plant that features in many homes. Incidents of poisoning from these plants are therefore not uncommon and may be the result of accidental exposure or deliberate, suicidal ingestion of the toxic parts. An attempt has been made to review the management principles with regard to toxicity of these plants and survey the literature in order to highlight current concepts in the treatment of poisoning resulting from both plants.
HOW TO CITE THIS ARTICLE
Pillay VV, Sasidharan A. Oleander and Datura Poisoning: An Update. Indian J Crit Care Med 2019;23(Suppl 4):S250-S255.
PubMed: 32020998
DOI: 10.5005/jp-journals-10071-23302 -
Praxis Jan 2018
Topics: Atrioventricular Block; Digitalis; Digoxin; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Electrocardiography; Humans; Plant Leaves; Plant Poisoning; Suicide, Attempted
PubMed: 29295674
DOI: 10.1024/1661-8157/a002862 -
Toxicon : Official Journal of the... Apr 2021Spontaneous and experimental Stryphnodendron fissuratum poisoning in cattle have been documented in the scientific literature. However, clinical and anatomopathological...
Spontaneous and experimental Stryphnodendron fissuratum poisoning in cattle have been documented in the scientific literature. However, clinical and anatomopathological aspects of such poisoning are not fully understood. Thus, the objective of this study was to describe the clinical, biochemical, gross and microscopic findings of spontaneous Stryphnodendron fissuratum poisoning in cattle as well the experimental poisoning by this plant in sheep. Three outbreaks in cattle from different farms were analyzed. From these farms, S. fissuratum fruit specimens were collected and subsequently administered to six sheep. Some cattle showed clinical signs of poisoning such as blindness, apathy, dysphagia, excessive drooling, weight loss and photodermatitis. In the experimental poisoning condition, one sheep received only the peel of the fruit, one received the seed, and the others received the whole fruit. The whole fruit caused fatal poisoning in one sheep, which showed anorexia, excessive drooling, nystagmus, and paddling. Necropsies and clinical, histopathological, and pathological examination of poisoned cattle and sheep showed that the plant may cause acute renal failure along with extrarenal uremic lesions.
Topics: Animals; Cattle; Cattle Diseases; Disease Outbreaks; Fabaceae; Plant Poisoning; Sheep; Sheep Diseases
PubMed: 33524427
DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2021.01.016