-
China CDC Weekly Apr 2021belongs to the Fabaceae family and is widely distributed in the southern China. It is toxic for the rotenone contained in its roots and seeds, and ingesting its seeds...
belongs to the Fabaceae family and is widely distributed in the southern China. It is toxic for the rotenone contained in its roots and seeds, and ingesting its seeds could result in poisoning. In December, 2020, a poisoning from plant seeds occurred in Chongqing Municipality. The etiological association was confirmed based on epidemiological investigation, clinical manifestation, plant species identification, and rotenone analysis. The patient rapidly developed central nervous and respiratory depression with metabolic acidosis. The plant was identified as , and toxin analysis indicated that the rotenone content contained in the seeds was high enough to cause intoxication. poisoning is rare but could be fatal. Efforts should be made to educate and communicate with the public, doctors, and public health practitioners that the toxic effects the seeds could be life-threating when swallowed, both accidentally or intentionally.
PubMed: 34594869
DOI: 10.46234/ccdcw2021.075 -
Tropical Animal Health and Production Mar 2018In the world, Kalanchoe species are primarily ornamentals and houseplants, but some have escaped cultivation and can be found in the field. In Latin America, there are...
In the world, Kalanchoe species are primarily ornamentals and houseplants, but some have escaped cultivation and can be found in the field. In Latin America, there are no reports of spontaneous poisoning by Kalanchoe species in animals. This study aimed to describe the epidemiological, clinical, and pathological aspects of an outbreak of poisoning by Kalanchoe blossfeldiana in cattle in the semiarid region of Pernambuco, Brazil. Epidemiological and clinical data were obtained from the owner and veterinarian during technical visits. Prunings of this plant were disposed of in a pasture with a shortness of forage. Seventeen cattle had clinical signs, and thirteen died 4-5 days after the first clinical signs were observed. Clinical signs and gross and histological lesions include gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, and neuromuscular disorders. Kalanchoe spp. contain cardiotoxic glycosides, and the clinical signs and lesions in cattle of this outbreak were consistent with poisoning by plants that contain these toxins.
Topics: Animals; Brazil; Cattle; Cattle Diseases; Disease Outbreaks; Kalanchoe; Plant Poisoning
PubMed: 29147934
DOI: 10.1007/s11250-017-1465-7 -
The Veterinary Clinics of North... Apr 2024Range and pasture toxic plants can poison horses. Many of these plants are noxious weeds that can dominate plant populations and replace healthy forages. Poisoning is... (Review)
Review
Range and pasture toxic plants can poison horses. Many of these plants are noxious weeds that can dominate plant populations and replace healthy forages. Poisoning is often difficult to diagnose as the resulting plant-induced disease is similar to other infectious, toxic, and nutritional diseases. Identifying potentially problem plants, and observing what plants horses are eating, is essential in determining the risk of poisoning. If the risk is significant, it can drive management to invest in strategies to avoid exposure, animal disease, and suffering.
Topics: Animals; Horses; Poisons; Horse Diseases; Plants, Toxic
PubMed: 38184454
DOI: 10.1016/j.cveq.2023.12.002 -
Wilderness & Environmental Medicine Mar 2015
Topics: Atropa belladonna; Plant Dispersal
PubMed: 25281585
DOI: 10.1016/j.wem.2014.08.012 -
Clinical Toxicology (Philadelphia, Pa.) Jan 2023There is little research to characterise plant poisoning in Australia. The aim of this project is to investigate plant exposures reported to a state poisons information...
INTRODUCTION
There is little research to characterise plant poisoning in Australia. The aim of this project is to investigate plant exposures reported to a state poisons information centre.
METHODS
This is a retrospective review of plant exposures reported to the Queensland Poison Information Centre (QPIC) between January 2019 and December 2021. Main outcome measures included patient demographics, plant exposure details, symptomatology, and management advice.
RESULTS
QPIC received calls regarding 2766 plant exposures over the study period. Children aged 1-4 years were the commonest group exposed, accounting for 1295 (46.8%) exposures. The caller was usually a family member/caregiver (2036 [73.6%]) calling from home (2257 [81.6%]). Exposures were unintentional in 2722 (98.4%) cases, with the oral route being most common, occurring in 2264 (81.9%) cases.Plant groups most responsible for exposures included gastrointestinal irritants (536 [19.4%]), oxalates (522 [18.9%]), and non-toxic plants (442 [16.0%]). The plant involved was known in 2366 (85.5%) exposures, most commonly (257 [9.3%]). Patients were asymptomatic (1644 [59.4%]) or had mild toxicity (1033 [37.3%]) in most exposures. Only 18 (0.6%) cases had moderate/severe toxicity, and this was most often due to recreational exposures by adults (9[0.3%]). Referral for medical review was advised in 407 (14.7%) cases, most commonly following exposures to (140/407 [34.4%]), gastrointestinal irritants (52/407 [12.7%]), and oxalates (38/407 [9.3%]).
CONCLUSIONS
The majority of plant exposures reported to QPIC are unintentional paediatric exposures. Most are asymptomatic or have mild toxicity. More severe toxicity is seen in adults with recreational plant exposures.
Topics: Adult; Child; Humans; Retrospective Studies; Queensland; Poisons; Irritants; Poison Control Centers; Plant Poisoning; Australia; Information Centers; Poisoning
PubMed: 36374188
DOI: 10.1080/15563650.2022.2133727 -
Toxicon : Official Journal of the... Dec 2019The indolizidine alkaloid swainsonine, found in some Astragalus and Oxytropis (i.e., locoweed) species, is a potent cellular glycosidase inhibitor that often poisons... (Comparative Study)
Comparative Study
The indolizidine alkaloid swainsonine, found in some Astragalus and Oxytropis (i.e., locoweed) species, is a potent cellular glycosidase inhibitor that often poisons livestock. Other toxic genera such as some Ipomoea species also contain swainsonine as well as calystegines which are similar polyhydroxy alkaloids. The toxicity of calystegines is poorly characterized; however, they are also potent glycoside inhibitors capable of intestinal and cellular glycoside dysfunction. The objective of this study was to directly compare A. lentiginosus and I. carnea poisoning in goats to better characterize the role of the calystegines. Three groups of four goats each were treated with ground alfalfa (control), I. carnea or A. lentiginosus to obtain daily doses of 0.0, 1.5, and 1.5 mg swainsonine/kg bw per day, respectively, for 45 days. Animals were observed daily and weekly body weights, serum enzyme activities, and serum swainsonine concentrations were determined. At day 45 all animals were euthanized and necropsied. Goats treated with A. lentiginosus and I. carnea developed clinical disease characterized by mild intention tremors and proprioceptive deficits. Goats treated with A. lentiginosus developed clinical disease sooner and with greater consistency. No differences in body weight, serum swainsonine concentrations and serum enzyme activity were observed between goats treated with A. lentiginosus and I. carnea. Additionally, there were no differences in the microscopic and histochemical studies of the visceral and neurologic lesions observed between goats treated with A. lentiginosus and I. carnea. These findings suggest that I. carnea-induced clinical signs and lesions are due to swainsonine and that calystegines contribute little or nothing to toxicity in goats in the presence of swainsonine.
Topics: Animals; Astragalus Plant; Goat Diseases; Goats; Ipomoea; Male; Plant Poisoning; Proprioception; Swainsonine; Tremor; Tropanes
PubMed: 31542469
DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2019.09.016 -
Toxicon : Official Journal of the... Jul 2019Larkspur (Delphinium spp.) poisoning is a long-term problem for cattle grazing on rangelands of western North America. Recent research has shown that both plant and...
Larkspur (Delphinium spp.) poisoning is a long-term problem for cattle grazing on rangelands of western North America. Recent research has shown that both plant and animal-based factors are critical in understanding and mitigating larkspur poisoning in cattle. Non-toxicological factors including sex, age, cattle breed, and plant chemotype affect cattle responses to larkspur. For example, Angus heifers are more susceptible to larkspur intoxication than are steers or bulls. Young cattle appear to be more susceptible to larkspur poisoning than mature animals. Beef breeds of cattle are more susceptible to larkspur intoxication than dairy breeds. In addition to animal factors, plant alkaloid composition (chemotype) affects the potential toxicity for cattle because of differences in the ratios and concentrations of highly toxic N-(methylsuccinimido) anthranoyllycoctonine (MSAL)-type alkaloids compared to less lethal non-MSAL-type alkaloids. Animal- and plant-based factors can provide substantial information to inform livestock producers on management to reduce risk and cattle losses to various larkspur species in western North America.
Topics: Age Factors; Animals; Cattle; Cattle Diseases; Delphinium; Female; Male; Poisoning; Risk Factors; Sex Factors
PubMed: 31029637
DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2019.04.013 -
Animals : An Open Access Journal From... Dec 2023One of the possible roles of secondary plant metabolites, including toxins, is facilitating plant-animal communication. Lethal cases of pasture poisoning show that the... (Review)
Review
One of the possible roles of secondary plant metabolites, including toxins, is facilitating plant-animal communication. Lethal cases of pasture poisoning show that the message is not always successfully conveyed. As the focus of poisoning lies in the clinical aspects, the external circumstances of pasture poisoning are widely unknown. To document poisoning conditions in cattle, sheep, goats, and horses on pastures and to compile a checklist of plants involved in either poisoning or co-existence (zero poisoning), published case reports were evaluated as primary sources. The number of affected animal individuals was estimated within abundance classes from 0 to more than 100. The checklist of poisonous plants comprised 52 taxa. Of these, 13 taxa were deemed safe (no reference was found indicating poisoning), 11 taxa were associated with evidence-based zero poisoning (positive list), and 28 taxa were associated with poisoning (negative list). Nine plant taxa caused poisoning in more than 100 animal individuals. Zero poisoning accounted for 40% and poisoning accounted for 60% of a total of 85 cases. Poisoning was most often associated with a limited choice of feed (24.7%), followed by overgrazing (12.9%), seasonally scarce feed (10.6%), and co-ingestion of grass (4.7%). Hunger interferes with plant-animal co-existence, while zero poisoning improves it. In conclusion, poisonous plants in pastures may communicate their toxicity if the animals have enough alternative feed plants. An individual animal might utterly perceive the communication of toxicity by the plant species but be forced to ignore the message owing to a limited choice of feed options.
PubMed: 38136831
DOI: 10.3390/ani13243795 -
Hong Kong Medical Journal = Xianggang... Apr 2019Hong Kong has a great diversity of plants, many of which are toxic to humans. The aim of this study was to identify the plant species most commonly involved in cases of...
INTRODUCTION
Hong Kong has a great diversity of plants, many of which are toxic to humans. The aim of this study was to identify the plant species most commonly involved in cases of plant poisoning in Hong Kong and to provide clinicians with a reference tool for the diagnosis and management of plant poisoning.
METHODS
We retrospectively reviewed all plant poisoning cases referred to the Hospital Authority Toxicology Reference Laboratory from 1 January 2003 to 31 December 2017. Demographics, clinical presentation, laboratory findings, treatment and outcomes of patients, as well as morphological identification and analytical testing of the plant specimens, were investigated.
RESULTS
A total of 62 cases involving 26 poisonous plant species were identified, among which (Giant Alocasia), (Graceful Jessamine), and (Azalea) species were the three most commonly encountered. Gastrointestinal toxicity (n=30, 48%), neurological toxicity (n=22, 35%), and hepatotoxicity (n=6, 10%) were the three most common clinical problems. Forty-nine (79%) and eight (13%) patients had mild and moderate toxicity, respectively; they all recovered shortly with supportive treatment. The remaining five (8%) patients experienced severe toxicity requiring intensive care support. Most patients (n=61, 98%) used the plants intentionally: as a medicinal herb (n=31), as food (n=29), and for attempting suicide (n=1). Reasons for using the poisonous plants included misidentification (n=34, 55%), unawareness of the toxicity (n=20, 32%), and contamination (n=6, 10%).
CONCLUSIONS
Although most plant exposure resulted in a self-limiting disease, severe poisonings were encountered. Epidemiology of plant poisonings is geographically specific. Clinicians should be aware of local poisonous plants and their toxicities.
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Child; Child, Preschool; Female; Hong Kong; Humans; Infant; Male; Middle Aged; Plant Poisoning; Plant Preparations; Plants, Toxic; Retrospective Studies; Young Adult
PubMed: 30967518
DOI: 10.12809/hkmj187745 -
Anais Da Academia Brasileira de Ciencias 2021It is well known that several of the swainsonine-containing plant species found widespread around the world have a negative economic impact in each country. In... (Review)
Review
It is well known that several of the swainsonine-containing plant species found widespread around the world have a negative economic impact in each country. In Argentina, most of the information on the poisonous plant species that produce α-mannosidosis is published in Spanish and thus not available to most English-speaking researchers interested in toxic plants. Therefore, the aim of this review is to summarize the information about swainsonine-containing plants in Argentina, which are extensively distributed throughout different ecoregions of the country. To date, five species from three genera have been shown to induce α-mannosidosis in livestock in Argentina: Ipomoea carnea subsp. fistulosa, Ipomoea hieronymi subsp. calchaquina (Convolvulaceae), Astragalus garbancillo, Astragalus pehuenches (Fabaceae), and Sida rodrigoi (Malvaceae). These species contain the indolizidine alkaloid swainsonine, which inhibits the lysosomal enzyme α-mannosidase and consequently affects glycoprotein metabolism, resulting in partially metabolized sugars. The prolonged consumption of these poisonous plants produces progressive weight loss and clinical signs related to a nervous disorder, characterized by tremors of head and neck, abnormalities of gait, difficulty in standing, ataxia and wide-based stance. Histological lesions are mainly characterized by vacuolation of different cells, especially neurons of the central nervous system. The main animal model used to study α-mannosidosis is the guinea pig because, when experimentally poisoned, it exhibits many of the characteristics of naturally intoxicated livestock.
Topics: Animals; Argentina; Guinea Pigs; Plant Poisoning; Plants, Toxic; Ruminants; alpha-Mannosidosis
PubMed: 34787167
DOI: 10.1590/0001-3765202120191496