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Journal of Veterinary Diagnostic... Jul 2022Several plants that contain indolizidine alkaloids, including swainsonine, are toxic to livestock, causing dysfunctional lysosomes and storage disease. Swainsonine...
Several plants that contain indolizidine alkaloids, including swainsonine, are toxic to livestock, causing dysfunctional lysosomes and storage disease. Swainsonine induces a neurovisceral disease, known as locoism, in sheep, goats, and cattle, which occurs in several parts of the world, including, but not limited to, the western United States, China, and parts of Australia. In South America, locoism has been described in the Andean region of Argentina affecting sheep, cattle, and llamas. Intoxication by consumption of was suspected in 4 llamas in Jujuy Province, northwestern Argentina. The grazing area contained abundant specimens of . The clinical course was ~15 d, and included moderate ataxia, incoordination of hindlimbs, and progressive loss of body condition. Microscopically, fine cytoplasmic microvacuolation was observed in the proximal convoluted renal tubules. Ultrastructurally, these changes consisted of severely dilated lysosomes. Swainsonine was detected in stem and leaf samples of at a concentration of 0.06%. Based on clinical history and signs, histologic and ultrastructural changes, and plant analysis, a diagnosis of swainsonine toxicosis caused by consumption of was made, which has not been reported previously, to our knowledge.
Topics: Animals; Argentina; Astragalus Plant; Camelids, New World; Cattle; Cattle Diseases; Plant Poisoning; Sheep; Sheep Diseases; Swainsonine
PubMed: 35524435
DOI: 10.1177/10406387221094272 -
Toxicon : Official Journal of the... Jun 2021An epidemiological study on animal poisoning due to plants and zootoxins has been carried out by the Poison Control Centre of Milan (CAV) in collaboration with the...
An epidemiological study on animal poisoning due to plants and zootoxins has been carried out by the Poison Control Centre of Milan (CAV) in collaboration with the University of Milan (Italy). During the period January 2015-March 2019, the CAV received 932 calls on animal poisonings, 12.66% (n = 118) of which were related to plants and zootoxins. Among these, 95 enquiries (80.51%) concerned exposures to plants and 23 (19.49%) to zootoxins. The dog was the species most frequently involved (67.80% of the calls, n = 80), followed by the cat (26.27%, n = 31). As for the plants, several poisoning episodes were related to glycoside-, alkaloid-, oxalate- and diterpenoid-containing species. Cycas revoluta, Euphorbia pulcherrima and Hydrangea macrophylla were the most often reported plants. The outcome has been reported for half of the episodes (51.58%, n = 49) and it was fatal for 3 animals (6.12%). Regarding the zootoxins, the majority of the enquiries were related to asp viper (Vipera aspis), but exposures to pine processionary moth (Thaumetopoea pityocampa), common toad (Bufo), fire salamander (Salamandra), and jellyfish (phylum Cnidaria) were also reported. The outcome was known in 65.22% of the cases with just one fatal episode. This epidemiological investigation depicts an interesting overview on the issue of plant and zootoxin exposures in domestic animals, highlighting the relevance of these agents as causes of animal poisoning and providing useful information for prevention and diagnosis.
Topics: Animals; Animals, Domestic; Cats; Cnidaria; Cycas; Dogs; Italy; Poison Control Centers; Poisoning
PubMed: 33798604
DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2021.03.019 -
Microbial Biotechnology Dec 2023The United Nations heralds a world population exponential increase exceeding 9.7 billion by 2050. This poses the challenge of covering the nutritional needs of an... (Review)
Review
The United Nations heralds a world population exponential increase exceeding 9.7 billion by 2050. This poses the challenge of covering the nutritional needs of an overpopulated world by the hand of preserving the environment. Extensive agriculture practices harnessed the employment of fertilizers and pesticides to boost crop productivity and prevent economic and harvest yield losses attributed to plagues and diseases. Unfortunately, the concomitant hazardous effects stemmed from such agriculture techniques are cumbersome, that is, biodiversity loss, soils and waters contaminations, and human and animal poisoning. Hence, the so-called 'green agriculture' research revolves around designing novel biopesticides and plant growth-promoting bio-agents to the end of curbing the detrimental effects. In this field, microbe-plant interactions studies offer multiple possibilities for reshaping the plant holobiont physiology to its benefit. Along these lines, bacterial extracellular membrane vesicles emerge as an appealing molecular tool to capitalize on. These nanoparticles convey a manifold of molecules that mediate intricate bacteria-plant interactions including plant immunomodulation. Herein, we bring into the spotlight bacterial extracellular membrane vesicle engineering to encase immunomodulatory effectors into their cargo for their application as biocontrol agents. The overarching goal is achieving plant priming by deploying its innate immune responses thereby preventing upcoming infections.
Topics: Humans; Plant Development; Plants; Agriculture; Soil; Crop Production; Antigens, Bacterial
PubMed: 37530752
DOI: 10.1111/1751-7915.14323 -
Annals of Agricultural and... Mar 2023Increased consumer awareness of the health aspects of the diet has influenced the increased consumption of fruit and vegetables. Due to the fact that these products are... (Review)
Review
INTRODUCTION
Increased consumer awareness of the health aspects of the diet has influenced the increased consumption of fruit and vegetables. Due to the fact that these products are mainly consumed raw and are usually not subjected to processes that reduce their microbiological contamination, they become a source of infection and transmit pathogens causing food poisoning in humans. Salmonella bacteria are a serious treat to human health and remain a serious problem in many parts of the world.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to review the current state of knowledge regarding the prevalence of Salmonella bacteria on fresh fruit and vegetables. Attention is also given to the mechanisms by which these bacteria adapt to colonize plants. Methods that can prevent contamination of plant products by the bacteria are also analyzed.
REVIEW METHODS
The review was based on data obtained from scientific articles published in the Science Direct and Pub Med database between 2007 - 2022, found with the use of the following keywords: Salmonella, fruit, vegetables, food contamination.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE STATE OF KNOWLEDGE
Data from the literature report that fresh fruit and vegetables are a source of Salmonella contamination through contact with soil, manure, compost, water or staff.
SUMMARY
Actions targeting salmonellosis prevention should be undertaken by both the public and private sectors. Government regulations and stricter measures put in place can provide a framework that guides both domestic production and international imports. Periodic training of workers dealing with food is also important. Attention should be directed mainly to production control and less to the testing of final products. Education leading to increased awareness of salmonellosis should be indispensable.
Topics: Humans; Bacteria; Food Contamination; Food Microbiology; Fruit; Salmonella; Salmonella Food Poisoning; Salmonella Infections; Vegetables
PubMed: 36999850
DOI: 10.26444/aaem/156765 -
Pathogens (Basel, Switzerland) Jan 2021Staphylococcal infections are a widespread cause of disease in humans. In particular, is a major causative agent of infection in clinical medicine. In addition, these... (Review)
Review
Staphylococcal infections are a widespread cause of disease in humans. In particular, is a major causative agent of infection in clinical medicine. In addition, these bacteria can produce a high number of staphylococcal enterotoxins (SE) that may cause food intoxications. Apart from , many coagulase-negative spp. could be the source of food contamination. Thus, there is an active research work focused on developing novel preventative interventions based on food supplements to reduce the impact of staphylococcal food poisoning. Interestingly, many plant-derived compounds, such as polyphenols, flavonoids, or terpenoids, show significant antimicrobial activity against staphylococci, and therefore these compounds could be crucial to reduce the incidence of food intoxication in humans. Here, we reviewed the most promising strategies developed to prevent staphylococcal food poisoning.
PubMed: 33498299
DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10020091 -
Clinical Toxicology (Philadelphia, Pa.) Dec 2022The genus is composed of plants containing a diverse set of steroidal alkaloids. plant material has been utilized for centuries as herbal medicines, however the...
INTRODUCTION
The genus is composed of plants containing a diverse set of steroidal alkaloids. plant material has been utilized for centuries as herbal medicines, however the alkaloids have such a low therapeutic index that they are not used in modern medicine. Here we report an incident of inadvertent ingestion of by hikers in Georgia that allowed detection, and in several instances identification of alkaloids from the plant, and correlated their presence within patient blood and breast milk specimens.
CASE HISTORY
Eight patients, three male and five female, presented in the spring of 2020 and 2021 with symptoms requiring emergent medical attention after ingestion of All patients believed the plants to be a local native species of wild leek, , locally known as ramps. Plants were identified using photographs as well as fresh and cooked plant material provided by patients, in consultation with botanists at the University of Georgia Herbarium. Written consent was obtained from all patients for collection of blood and breast milk specimens for laboratory identification of alkaloids.
METHODS
plant material, and patient serum and breast milk were analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (HPLC-QTOF) to identify steroidal alkaloids.
RESULTS
The extract was confirmed to contain cyclopamine, veratramine, jervine, and muldamine. Two out of the eight patients had detectable concentrations of alkaloids. Of the alkaloids identified in the plant, cyclopamine and jervine were detected within patient serum, and cyclopamine and veratramine were observed to be present in breast milk.
DISCUSSION
Toxicity resulting from steroidal alkaloids has primarily been reported from and . This is the second report of poisoning. The present work reports for the first time the presence of muldamine and jervine within . This work provides the first instance of identification of alkaloids in breast milk. Thus, the findings presented herein add to literature record causative agents contributing to the toxicity of when ingested and potential for secondary poisoning through breastfeeding.
CONCLUSION
toxicity was observed to cause nausea, vomiting, hypotension, bradycardia, abdominal pain, light-headedness, blurred vision, and tingling in the arms. Patients experiencing mild symptoms improved with supportive care, IV fluids, and antiemetics, but hemodynamically unstable patients required atropine and vasopressors. This study demonstrated that more lipophilic alkaloids can be passed along in breast milk, which suggests additional precautions may be critical to limit further poisonings.
Topics: Female; Humans; Veratrum; Milk, Human; Veratrum Alkaloids; Alkaloids; Plant Poisoning
PubMed: 36301078
DOI: 10.1080/15563650.2022.2132166 -
Saudi Journal of Kidney Diseases and... 2022Plant toxins have well been implicated in the etiopathogenesis of acute kidney injury (AKI). Certain plant toxins are endemic to a particular country and region....
Plant toxins have well been implicated in the etiopathogenesis of acute kidney injury (AKI). Certain plant toxins are endemic to a particular country and region. Knowledge of the regional plant toxins will be useful to give travel advisory measures for the public and patients with chronic kidney disease. We report a case of poisoning with tutu berry, endemic to New Zealand causing AKI.
Topics: Humans; Fruit; Acute Kidney Injury
PubMed: 36647991
DOI: 10.4103/1319-2442.367811 -
BMC Public Health Jun 2021Nepal recorded 5754 suicides in 2018-19 - a high number for a relatively small country. Over 24% of these suicides were by poisoning, most by ingestion of highly...
BACKGROUND
Nepal recorded 5754 suicides in 2018-19 - a high number for a relatively small country. Over 24% of these suicides were by poisoning, most by ingestion of highly concentrated agricultural pesticides. Nepal has actively regulated pesticides to reduce their health impacts since 2001. We aimed to analyse Nepal's history of pesticide regulation, pesticides responsible for poisonings, and relate them to national suicide rates.
METHODS
Information on pesticide regulation was collected from the Plant Quarantine and Pesticide Management Centre of the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development. National data on suicides from 1980 to 2019 were obtained from the National Statistical Bureau and Nepal Police. Data on the pesticides responsible for self-poisoning and pesticide suicides over time were obtained from a systematic literature review.
RESULTS
As of June 2020, 171 pesticides were registered for use in Nepal, of which one was extremely hazardous (WHO Class Ia), one other highly hazardous (WHO Class Ib), and 71 moderately hazardous (WHO Class II). Twenty-four pesticides have been banned since 2001, with eight (including five WHO Class I compounds) banned in 2019. Although the suicide rate has increased more than twelve-fold since 1980, particularly for hanging (15-fold increase from 1980 to 2018), fatal pesticide self-poisoning has increased by 13-fold. Methyl-parathion is reported to be the key pesticide responsible for pesticide self-poisoning in Nepal, despite being banned in 2006.
CONCLUSION
The full effect of the recent pesticide policy reform in Nepal remains to be seen. Our analysis shows a continuing increase in suicide numbers, despite bans of the most important pesticide in 2006. This may indicate smuggling across the border and the use of the brand name (Metacid) for pesticides in general making it difficult to identify the responsible pesticide. More information is required from forensic toxicology labs that identify the individual compounds found. The effect of recent bans of common suicide pesticides needs to be monitored over the coming years. Evidence from other Asian countries suggests that HHPs bans will lead to a marked reduction in suicides, as well as fewer cases of occupational poisoning.
Topics: Asia; Eating; Humans; Nepal; Pesticides; Poisoning; Suicide
PubMed: 34120596
DOI: 10.1186/s12889-021-11155-3 -
Mycotoxin Research Nov 2016Mycotoxins are fungal metabolites commonly occurring in food, which pose a health risk to the consumer. Maximum levels for major mycotoxins allowed in food have been... (Review)
Review
Mycotoxins are fungal metabolites commonly occurring in food, which pose a health risk to the consumer. Maximum levels for major mycotoxins allowed in food have been established worldwide. Good agricultural practices, plant disease management, and adequate storage conditions limit mycotoxin levels in the food chain yet do not eliminate mycotoxins completely. Food processing can further reduce mycotoxin levels by physical removal and decontamination by chemical or enzymatic transformation of mycotoxins into less toxic products. Physical removal of mycotoxins is very efficient: manual sorting of grains, nuts, and fruits by farmers as well as automatic sorting by the industry significantly lowers the mean mycotoxin content. Further processing such as milling, steeping, and extrusion can also reduce mycotoxin content. Mycotoxins can be detoxified chemically by reacting with food components and technical aids; these reactions are facilitated by high temperature and alkaline or acidic conditions. Detoxification of mycotoxins can also be achieved enzymatically. Some enzymes able to transform mycotoxins naturally occur in food commodities or are produced during fermentation but more efficient detoxification can be achieved by deliberate introduction of purified enzymes. We recommend integrating evaluation of processing technologies for their impact on mycotoxins into risk management. Processing steps proven to mitigate mycotoxin contamination should be used whenever necessary. Development of detoxification technologies for high-risk commodities should be a priority for research. While physical techniques currently offer the most efficient post-harvest reduction of mycotoxin content in food, biotechnology possesses the largest potential for future developments.
Topics: Decontamination; Food Contamination; Food Handling; Humans; Mycotoxins; Poisoning
PubMed: 27554261
DOI: 10.1007/s12550-016-0257-7 -
Indian Journal of Critical Care... Apr 2021Plant poisoning is one of the common methods of deliberate self-poisoning (DSP). Exposure to plants and its consequence account for a considerable number of deaths in...
BACKGROUND
Plant poisoning is one of the common methods of deliberate self-poisoning (DSP). Exposure to plants and its consequence account for a considerable number of deaths in rural India.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
This retrospective observational study was conducted in the emergency department of a large tertiary care hospital in South India over a period of 2 years and recruited patients who presented with DSP from plant poisoning.
RESULTS
During the study period, 150 cases of plant poisoning were included. The mean (standard deviation) age of presentation was 31.4 (12.2) years. The most common type of plant poison consumed was oleander (63%) followed by oduvanthalai (50%), (3%), datura (3%), and others, which comprised about 5.3% included henna (1.3%), cactus (1.3%), and a case each of castor, and . Patients in age-group 16-30 years had the highest rate of ingestion. The seasonal pattern was found to peak in the month of April. Gastric lavage was done in 102/150:68%. Consumption of decoction [odds ratio (OR): 5, 95% confidence interval (CI): 2.27-14.00, value: <0.001] and metabolic acidosis (pH <7.35) (OR: 11.48, 95% CI: 4.17-31.57, value: <0.001) were more common in oduvanthalai poisoning as compared to oleander. The mortality among plant poisoning was 9.3% (14/150).
CONCLUSION
Our study sheds light on the spectrum of local plants consumed for DSP. Oleander and oduvanthalai were most commonly used for DSP. Consuming a decoction of leaves leading to severe metabolic acidosis at presentation is seen associated with oduvanthalai poisoning.
HOW TO CITE THIS ARTICLE
Abhilash KPP, Murugan S, Rabbi AS, Pradeeptha S, Pradeep R, Gunasekaran K. Deliberate Self-poisoning due to Plant Toxins: Verdant Footprints of the Past into the Present. Indian J Crit Care Med 2021;25(4):392-397.
PubMed: 34045805
DOI: 10.5005/jp-journals-10071-23784