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Nutrients Jan 2023Favism is a hemolytic disease due to the ingestion of fava beans in individuals with glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency. There is wide inter- and... (Review)
Review
Favism is a hemolytic disease due to the ingestion of fava beans in individuals with glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency. There is wide inter- and intra-individual variability in the development of hemolytic crisis, and several factors influence it: quantity, quality, ripeness of fava beans, and age of onset. In this narrative review of case reports and case series, we reported the predisposing factors and clinical features for four different age groups classified as follows: pregnant women and infants (i.e., exclusively breastfed children); children, from weaned to 11 years; preadolescents and adolescents, from 11 to 18 years; and adults (18 years and older). Some symptoms developed only in specific age groups: death in infants; visual impairment in children; systolic murmur in infants, children, and adolescents; and renal failure in adults. In youngest children or pregnant women the severity is the highest. Some other symptoms were present in all: jaundice, increased bilirubin, splenomegaly, hepatomegaly, discolored urine, tachycardia, pallor, abdominal pain, malaise, vomit, nausea, and dizziness. Laboratory findings are characterized by anemia, reticulocytosis, elevated bilirubin level, and sometimes urinary urobilinogen and methemoglobinemia. In most cases the symptomatology is self-limited and does not release sequelae, but hospitalization and transfusion are often required.
Topics: Pregnancy; Child; Infant; Adolescent; Adult; Humans; Female; Favism; Glucosephosphate Dehydrogenase Deficiency; Vicia faba; Hemolysis; Bilirubin
PubMed: 36678214
DOI: 10.3390/nu15020343 -
Deutsches Arzteblatt International May 2022Questions on poisoning by plants are a common reason for inquiries to poison information centers (PIC). Over the years 2011-2020, plant poisoning was the subject of 15%...
BACKGROUND
Questions on poisoning by plants are a common reason for inquiries to poison information centers (PIC). Over the years 2011-2020, plant poisoning was the subject of 15% of all inquiries to the joint poison information center in Erfurt, Germany (Gemeinsames Giftinformationszentrum Erfurt, GGIZ) that concerned poisoning in children (2.3% in adults). In this patient collective, plant poisoning occupied third place after medical drugs (32%) and chemical substances (24%), and was a more common subject of inquiry than mushroom poisoning (1.5%).
METHODS
This review is based on pertinent publications retrieved by a selective literature search in PubMed/TOXLINE on plant poisoning and on 12 epidemiologically and toxicologically relevant domestic species of poisonous plants in risk categories 2 and 3 (up to 2021).
RESULTS
Medical personnel should have basic toxicological knowledge of the following highly poisonous plants: wolfsbane (aconitum), belladonna, angel's trumpet, cowbane (cicuta virosa), autumn crocus, hemlock, jimson weed, henbane, castor bean (ricinus), false hellebore, foxglove (digitalis), and European yew. The intoxication is evaluated on the basis of a structured history (the "w" questions) and the clinical manifestations (e.g., toxidromes). Special analysis is generally not readily available and often expensive and time-consuming. In case of poisoning, a poison information center should be contacted for plant identification, risk assessment, and treatment recommendations. Specimens of plant components and vomit should be obtained, if possible, for further testing. Measures for the elimination of the poisonous substance may be indicated after a risk-benefit analysis. Specific antidotes are available for only a few types of plant poisoning, e.g., physostigmine for tropane alkaloid poisoning or digitalis antibodies for foxglove poisoning. The treatment is usually symptomatic and only rarely evidence-based. Individualized medical surveillance is recommended after the ingestion of large or unknown quantities of poisonous plant components.
CONCLUSION
The clinician should be able to recognize dangerous domestic species of poisonous plants, take appropriate initial measures, and avoid overdiagnosis and overtreatment. To improve patient care, systematic epidemiological and clinical studies are needed.
PubMed: 35140011
DOI: 10.3238/arztebl.m2022.0124 -
Journal of Research in Medical Sciences... 2018For many years, medicinal plants and herbal therapy have been widely used in different societies for the treatment of various diseases. Besides their therapeutic... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
For many years, medicinal plants and herbal therapy have been widely used in different societies for the treatment of various diseases. Besides their therapeutic potency, some of the medicinal plants have strong toxicity in human, especially in children and elderly. Despite common beliefs that natural products are safe, there have been few reports on their toxicities.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
In the present study, we aimed to systematically review the literature wherein acute plant poisoning and herbal intoxication have been reported in pediatric patients. After literature search and selection of the appropriate documents, the desired data were extracted and described qualitatively.
RESULTS
A total of 127 articles with overall 1453 intoxicated cases were collected. The results of this study showed that some medicinal plants can cause acute poisoning and complications such as hepatic and renal failure in children.
CONCLUSION
The findings of this survey showed that acute plant poisoning can be life?threatening in children, and since a single?ingested dose of toxic plants can cause acute poisoning, parents should be aware of these toxic effects and compare the side effects of self?medication with its potential benefits.
PubMed: 29692823
DOI: 10.4103/jrms.JRMS_629_17 -
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 -
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 -
Toxins May 2023Cases of ingestion of indoor poisonous plants are relatively common among animals and lead to both acute cases of poisoning and long-term exposure to harmful substances... (Review)
Review
Cases of ingestion of indoor poisonous plants are relatively common among animals and lead to both acute cases of poisoning and long-term exposure to harmful substances and chronic damage to the animal's health. Plants produce a large number of secondary metabolites, which serve to protect the plant from attacks by insects, parasitic plants, fungi or, for example, during reproduction. However, these metabolites can be toxic if ingested by animals or humans. Toxicologically effective components found in plants are mainly alkaloids, glycosides, saponins, terpenes and others. This review article describes in detail the most common and popular indoor poisonous plants grown in Europe, the mechanisms of action of their active substances and clinical signs of the respective poisonings. This manuscript is supplemented with rich photographic documentation of these plants not found in similar articles, and also includes a description of the treatment of individual types of poisoning.
Topics: Animals; Humans; Plant Poisoning; Plants, Toxic; Alkaloids; Glycosides; Saponins
PubMed: 37235380
DOI: 10.3390/toxins15050346 -
Toxins Nov 2020Plant- and fungus-derived hepatotoxins are a major cause of disease and production losses in ruminants in Australia and around the world. Many are well studied and... (Review)
Review
Plant- and fungus-derived hepatotoxins are a major cause of disease and production losses in ruminants in Australia and around the world. Many are well studied and described in the literature; however, this is not the case for a number of hepatotoxicities with economic and animal welfare impacts, such as acute bovine liver disease (ABLD), brassica-associated liver disease (BALD) and , and toxicity. Additionally, significant overlap in the clinical presentation and pathology of these conditions can present a diagnostic challenge for veterinarians. This review summarizes the current and most recently published knowledge of common plant- and fungus-associated hepatotoxins affecting cattle in Australia, with a focus on the mechanisms of toxicity and distinguishing diagnostic features. Consolidation of the current understanding of hepatotoxic mechanisms in cattle provides insight into the potential mechanisms of lesser-known toxins, including cellular and subcellular targets and potential metabolic pathways. In the absence of specific etiological investigations, the study of epidemiological, clinical and pathological features of hepatotoxicity provides valuable insights into potential toxic mechanisms and is integral for the successful diagnosis and management of these conditions.
Topics: Animals; Australia; Cattle; Cattle Diseases; Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury; Fungi; Liver; Mycotoxins; Plant Poisoning; Plants, Toxic; Risk Assessment
PubMed: 33171661
DOI: 10.3390/toxins12110707 -
The Indian Journal of Medical Research Jan 2015
Topics: Amino Acids, Diamino; Humans; Lathyrism; Lathyrus; Neurotoxins; Seeds
PubMed: 25857507
DOI: 10.4103/0971-5916.154519 -
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 -
Postgraduate Medical Journal Aug 1961
Topics: Favism; Humans
PubMed: 13720117
DOI: 10.1136/pgmj.37.430.477