Close

References

  1. Mowry JB, Spyker DA, Cantilena LR Jr, McMillan N, Ford M. 2013 Annual Report of the American Association of Poison Control Centers' National Poison Data System (NPDS): 31st Annual Report. Clin Toxicol (Phila). 2014 Dec;52(10):1032-283. [Full Text]. PMID: 25559822
  2. McIntire MS, Guest JR, Porterfield JF. Philodendron--an infant death. J Toxicol Clin Toxicol. 1990;28(2):177-83. PMID: 2398518
  3. Pathak MA. Phytophotodermatitis. Clin Dermatol. 1986 Apr-Jun;4(2):102-21. PMID: 2941124
  4. Baugh WP, Barnette D Jr, Kucaba WD, Chen CL. Phytophotodermatitis. Medscape Drugs & Diseases. Updated Jul 24, 2014. Available at: http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1119566-overview. Accessed Jul 16, 2015.
  5. Vearrier D, Greenberg MI. Anticholinergic delirium following Datura stramonium ingestion: Implications for the Internet age. J Emerg Trauma Shock. 2010 Jul;3(3):303. [Full Text]. PMID: 20930988
  6. Schneir AB, Offerman SR, Ly BT, et al. Complications of diagnostic physostigmine administration to emergency department patients. Ann Emerg Med. 2003 Jul;42(1):14-9. PMID: 12827117
  7. Khan I, Kant C, Sanwaria A, Meena L. Acute cardiac toxicity of Nerium oleander/indicum poisoning (kaner) poisoning. Heart Views. 2010 Oct;11(3):115-6. [Full Text]. PMID: 21577379
  8. Frank BS, Michelson WB, Panter KE, Gardner DR. Ingestion of poison hemlock (Conium maculatum). West J Med. 1995 Dec;163(6):573-4. [Full Text]. PMID: 8553650
  9. Gladman AC. Toxicodendron dermatitis: poison ivy, oak, and sumac. Wilderness Environ Med. 2006 Summer;17(2):120-8. PMID: 16805148
  10. Stephanides S, Moore C. Toxicodendron poisoning. Medscape Drugs & Diseases. Updated Jan 23, 2015. Available at: http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/817671-overview. Accessed Jul 16, 2015.
  11. Poison ivy rash. Mayo Clinic. Available at: http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/poison-ivy/basics/definition/con-20025866. Accessed Jul 16, 2015.
  12. Kaland ME, Klein-Schwartz W, Anderson BD. Toxalbumin exposures: 12 years' experience of U.S. poison centers. Toxicon. 2015 Jun 1;99:125-9. PMID: 25817002
  13. Mirarchi FL, O'Malley GF. Ricin exposure. Medscape Drugs & Diseases. Updated Sep 9, 2014. Available at: http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/830795-overview. Accessed Jul 16, 2014.
  14. Chan TY. Incidence and causes of Aconitum alkaloid poisoning in Hong Kong from 1989 to 2010. Phytother Res. 2015 May 14. PMID: 25974837
  15. Krenzelok EP, Jacobsen TD, Aronis JM. Poinsettia exposures have good outcomes...just as we thought. Am J Emerg Med. 1996 Nov;14(7):671-4. PMID: 8906768

Image Sources

  1. Slide 1: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Poison_ivy_contact_dermatitis.jpg. Accessed July 16, 2015.
  2. Slide 2: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Philodendron.elegans.jpg. Accessed July 16, 2015.
  3. Slide 3: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Caladium_x_hortulanum.jpg. Accessed July 16, 2015.
  4. Slide 4: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Citrus_%C3%97aurantiifolia927505341.jpg. Accessed July 16, 2015.
  5. Slide 5: http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1119566-overview. Image gallery: figure 3. Accessed July 16, 2015.
  6. Slide 6: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Datura_stramonium-12.JPG. Accessed July 16, 2015.
  7. Slide 7: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Datura_(6311905041).jpg. Accessed July 16, 2015.
  8. Slide 8: http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/154336-overview. Image gallery: figure 1.
  9. Slide 9: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:PlantAtMuscatOman1.jpg. Accessed July 16, 2015.
  10. Slide 10: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Conium_maculatum_Prague_2011_1.jpg. Accessed July 16, 2015.
  11. Slide 11: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Daucus_carota.jpg (left); https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Gefleckterschierling.jpg (middle); https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Cicuta_virosa_001.JPG (right). All accessed July 16, 2015.
  12. Slide 12: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Toxicodendron_radicans_(summertime).JPG. Accessed July 16, 2015.
  13. Slide 13: http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/817671-overview. Image gallery: figure 1.
  14. Slide 14: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Castor_beans.jpg. Accessed July 16, 2015.
  15. Slide 15: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Abrus_precatorius_pods.jpg. Accessed July 16, 2015.
  16. Slide 16: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Starr_980528-4068_Ilex_sp..jpg. Accessed July 16, 2015.
  17. Slide 17: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ilex-aquifolium.JPG. Accessed July 16, 2015.
  18. Slide 18: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Aconitum_variegatum_110807a.jpg. Accessed July 16, 2015.
  19. Slide 19: http://ecg.bidmc.harvard.edu/maven/dispcase.asp?ans=0&rownum=340&caseid=340
  20. Slide 20: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Veratrum_veride2.JPG (left); https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Rhododendron_albrechtii_2.JPG (right). Both accessed July 16, 2015.
  21. Slide 21: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Euphorbia_pulcherrima_(2).jpg. Accessed July 16, 2015.
  22. Slide 22: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Poinsettia_2.jpg. Accessed July 16, 2015.
  23. Slide 23: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Phytolacca_americana_berries_Mccrea_Mills.jpg. Accessed July 16, 2015.
  24. Slide 24: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Koks_cia_augalas.JPG. Accessed July 16, 2015.
Close

Contributor Information

Author

David Vearrier, MD, MPH
Core Faculty, Division of Medical Toxicology
Department of Emergency Medicine
Albert Einstein Healthcare Network
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Disclosure: David Vearrier, MD, MPH, has disclosed no relevant financial relationships.

Editor

Lars Grimm, MD, MHS
Clinical Associate
Department of Diagnostic Radiology
Duke University Medical Center
Durham, NC

Disclosure: Lars Grimm, MD, MHS, has disclosed no relevant financial relationships.

Reviewer

Robert A. Schwartz, MD
Professor and Head, Dermatology
Professor of Pathology, Pediatrics, Medicine, and Preventive Medicine and Community Health
New Jersey Medical School
Newark, NJ

Disclosure: Robert A. Schwartz, MD, has disclosed no relevant financial relationships.

Loading...

Close<< Medscape

11 Common Plants That Can Cause Poisonings

David Vearrier, MD, MPH  |  July 28, 2015

Close
Swipe to advance
Slide 1

Plant exposures are a common source of poisoning in the United States. The 2013 annual report of the American Association of Poison Control Centers' National Poison Data System (NPDS) reported a total 46,376 plant exposures in the United States for the year, 29,346 of them occurring in children aged 5 years or younger (reflecting exploratory ingestions in this age group).[1] Most plant exposures are benign, although serious morbidity and mortality can occur. The NPDS reported a total of three deaths attributed to plant exposures in the United States in 2013. Do you know how to best manage the following cases of plant poisoning?

Contact dermatitis caused by urushiol, an oil existing in the stems, roots, and leaves of Toxicodendron species, including poison ivy, poison sumac, and poison oak, is shown.

Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons | Britannic124.

Slide 2

An 11-month-old child presents with oropharyngeal erosions and dysphagia after chewing the leaves of this common household plant. To what genus does this plant belong?

  1. Abrus
  2. Aconitum
  3. Cicuta
  4. Philodendron
  5. Sophora

Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons | LucaLuca.

Slide 3

Answer: D. Philodendron

In this particular case, esophageal erosions and stricture developed in the child, followed by sudden death 17 days after exposure—thought to be due to vagotonia secondary to the esophageal lesions.[2] Owing to its common use as an ornamental houseplant, pediatric exploratory ingestions of Philodendron species are relatively common. The leaves of these plants contain raphides of oxalate, spindle-shaped crystals that cause mechanical irritation when chewed. Rarely, airway edema and obstruction may ensue. Ocular exposure causes pain, redness, and swelling. Other genera that share the philodendron's broad, showy leaves; raphides of oxalate; and clinical manifestations include Caladium, Dieffenbachia, and Spathiphyllum. Pictured on this page is C bicolor.

Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons | Captain-tucker.

Slide 4

A 26-year-old flight attendant complains of a bilateral rash on her forearms 1 day after juicing the pictured fruit while preparing beverages for passengers. Cutaneous exposure to the juice of this plant is associated with which of the following eruptions?

  1. Eczema
  2. Erythema multiforme
  3. Miliaria
  4. Photodermatitis
  5. Psoriasis

Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons | Matt.

Slide 5

Answer: D. Photodermatitis

Several plants are associated with photodermatitis, which in this setting is more specifically termed phytophotodermatitis. These plants contain photosensitizing chemicals called furocoumarins, a group of structurally related molecules that cause skin damage with exposure to ultraviolet light.[3,4] Responsible genera include Citrus (lime), Ficus (fig), Daucus (carrot), Cymopterus (parsley), and Pastinaca (parsnip), among others. The classic presentation is cutaneous exposure to one of these plants followed by ultraviolet light exposure (eg, harvesting crops on a sunny day), leading to a rash in sun-exposed areas after 24 hours. In this specific case, the flight attendant went sunbathing during a layover in the Caribbean after cutaneous exposure to lime juice, resulting in the findings shown.

Image courtesy of Medscape.

Slide 6

A 22-year-old man presents with confusion, agitation, and a waxing and waning level of consciousness. During intubation for airway protection, numerous dark brown foreign bodies are noted between his teeth. A bag containing similar dark brown "pellets" is found in his pocket. What medication might improve this patient's altered mental status?

  1. Antidigoxin antibodies
  2. Flumazenil
  3. Naloxone
  4. Physostigmine
  5. Sodium bicarbonate

Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons | Danny S.

Slide 7

Answer: D. Physostigmine

This patient deliberately chewed the seeds of Datura stramonium (jimson weed) in an effort to induce an anticholinergic delirium.[5] Physostigmine may be useful in reversing anticholinergic delirium in such cases.[6] Datura remains a popular drug of abuse among adolescents. The seeds may be chewed or ingested, or a tea may be brewed using the leaves or seeds of the plant. Atropa and Brugmansia are other genera containing anticholinergic belladonna alkaloids. Pictured is the characteristic large, trumpet-shaped flower of plants in the Datura genus (a common name for the plant is angel's trumpet).

Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons | John Fowler.

Slide 8

A 49-year-old man with a history of diabetes mellitus presents with altered mental status via ambulance. Vital signs include a temperature of 36.9°C (98.4°F), a heart rate of 40 beats per minute, a respiratory rate of 12 breaths per minute, and a systolic blood pressure of 80 mm Hg. His electrocardiogram (ECG) is shown. The patient's wife relates that he made a concoction out of the leaves of a plant as a treatment for his diabetes. Which of the following treatments would be most effective for this patient?

  1. Antidigoxin antibodies
  2. Dexamethasone
  3. Hemodialysis
  4. High-dose insulin therapy
  5. Intravenous calcium gluconate

Image courtesy of Medscape.

Slide 9

Answer: A. Antidigoxin antibodies

The patient's ECG demonstrates bidirectional tachycardia, which is characteristic of cardiac glycoside poisoning. Nerium oleander (common oleander; pictured) contains cardiac glycosides similar to those found in digitalis and has been unwisely recommended on the Internet as a natural treatment for diabetes mellitus. Cardiac glycoside toxicity has been reported following inhalation of oleander smoke, use of oleander twigs to roast marshmallows, or ingestion of water into which oleander flowers were placed. Other plants containing cardiac glycosides include Digitalis species (foxglove), Convallaria majalis (lily-of-the-valley), and Thevetia peruviana (yellow oleander), among others. Significant cardiac glycoside poisoning due to any of these plants should be treated with antidigoxin antibodies.[7]

Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons | Rüdiger Meier.

Slide 10

Two hours after picking and eating "wild carrots" growing in their backyard, a father brings his 4-year-old son in with a complaint of vomiting and unresponsiveness. On examination, the child withdraws to painful stimuli and is noted to have small, reactive pupils with disconjugate gaze. The remainder of the child's physical examination is unremarkable. The father has brought some of the "wild carrot" plant with him. What plant did he and his son inadvertently ingest?

  1. Ackee
  2. Deadly nightshade
  3. Jequirity pea
  4. Poison hemlock

Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons | Karelj.

Slide 11

Answer: D. Poison hemlock

Although these patients meant to ingest Daucus carota (wild carrot; left image), they inadvertently ingested Conium maculatum (poison hemlock; middle image) instead.[8] Another poisonous plant resembling wild carrot is Cicuta virosa (water hemlock or cowbane; right image). Poison hemlock contains nicotinic alkaloids (eg, coniine), which cause a nicotinic toxidrome, whereas Cicuta toxicity prominently features seizures.

Images courtesy of Wikimedia Commons | Tigerente (left), Wikimedia Commons | Saxo (middle), Wikimedia Commons | H. Zell (right).

Slide 12

Exposure to this plant commonly results in which of the following manifestations?

  1. Anaphylaxis
  2. Cardiovascular collapse
  3. Delayed-type hypersensitivity
  4. Gastrointestinal distress
  5. Seizures

Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons | Bmerva.

Slide 13

Answer: C. Delayed-type hypersensitivity

Plants in the genus Toxicodendron (previously known as the genus Rhus), such as eastern poison ivy (T radicans; as shown in the previous slide) and western poison ivy (T rydbergii), contain urushiol, a potent oil to which 80-90% of persons are capable of being sensitized.[9-11] Exposure typically results in a type IV hypersensitivity reaction (delayed-type hypersensitivity), with a characteristic rash that has sharp edges (shown). A commonly used mnemonic for these plants is "Leaves of 3, let it be!"; note, however, that poison sumac (T vernix) usually has clusters of 7-13 leaves.

Image courtesy of Medscape.

Slide 14

A 57-year-old man calls 911 from his hotel room with a complaint of respiratory distress. In the emergency department, he is unable to provide further history due to respiratory distress and requires endotracheal intubation for respiratory failure. He continues to have ventilator-dependent respiratory failure of unknown etiology for 2 weeks, when a family member picking up his belongings from the hotel room discovers an "anarchist-type textbook," the pictured seeds, and vials containing an unknown powder. Toxicity is likely due to exposure to what genus of plant?

  1. Aconitum
  2. Blighia
  3. Ricinus
  4. Urtica
  5. Veratrum

Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons | Slinger~commonswiki.

Slide 15

Answer: C. Ricinus

The castor bean, the seed of Ricinus communis, is shown on the previous slide. The seed contains ricin, a toxalbumin that interferes with ribosome function.[12] The features of toxicity depend on the route of exposure (ingestion, inhalation, or injection). Of note, when swallowed whole, the protective coating of the seed prevents human toxicity. Ricin is considered a potential weapon of mass destruction and has been used in assassinations and terrorist attacks.[13] Abrus precatorius (jequirity pea or rosary pea; shown) contains a similar toxalbumin in its red-and-black seeds. Use of these seeds in jewelry may result in pediatric exploratory ingestions.

Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons | Forest & Kim Starr.

Slide 16

A 2-year-old boy is found eating berries from this plant while playing in a city park. What is the predominant organ system affected by consumption of this plant?

  1. Cardiovascular
  2. Gastrointestinal
  3. Neurologic
  4. Pulmonary
  5. Renal

Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons | Forest & Kim Starr.

Slide 17

Answer: B. Gastrointestinal

Ilex is a plant genus containing more than 300 species, known colloquially as holly. The popularity of these species as ornamental plants in gardens and as components of holiday wreaths and other decorations contributes to pediatric exploratory ingestions. Their toxicity to humans is largely limited to nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. Treatment is supportive.

Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons | Maksim.

Slide 18

A 77-year-old man presents with hypotension and bradycardia after the intentional ingestion of 5 g of the crushed roots of this plant.

Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons | Bernd Haynold.

Slide 19

An ECG was obtained (shown). What is the mechanism of toxicity associated with this plant?

  1. Beta-adrenergic receptor blockade
  2. Calcium ion channel blockade
  3. Chloride ion channel activation
  4. Sodium ion channel activation
  5. Sodium-potassium ATPase inhibition

Image courtesy of Nathanson LA, McClennen S, Safran C, Goldberger AL. ECG Wave-Maven: Self-Assessment Program for Students and Clinicians. http://ecg.bidmc.harvard.edu.

Slide 20

Answer: D. Sodium ion channel activation

The patient's ECG demonstrates atrial fibrillation with ventricular bigeminy. Aconitum (monkshood, aconite, wolfsbane), a genus of flowering plants that feature racemes of helmet-shaped flowers, causes sodium ion channel activation, resulting in muscarinic findings, neurologic complaints (eg, paresthesias), and cardiac toxicity similar to that produced by cardioactive steroids.[14] Other plant genera that cause sodium ion channel activation include Veratrum (false hellebore; left image), Rhododendron (rhododendron, azalea; right image), and Zigadenus (death camas), among others. Treatment is supportive. In contrast to plants containing cardioactive steroids (eg, Digitalis, Nerium), antidigoxin antibodies are ineffective in managing toxicity caused by these genera.

Images courtesy of Wikimedia Commons | SB Johnny (left), Wikimedia Commons | Qwert1234 (right).

Slide 21

A 4-year-old girl is brought in by her parents for evaluation following ingestion of this popular seasonal ornamental plant. The parents are anxious because they have heard that the plant is highly toxic and can cause death. The child has no complaints, normal vital signs, and a normal physical examination. Which of the following is the most appropriate treatment for this child?

  1. Activated charcoal with sorbitol
  2. Hemodialysis
  3. Orogastric lavage
  4. Reassurance
  5. Whole bowel irrigation

Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons | i'am.

Slide 22

Answer: D. Reassurance

Euphorbia pulcherrima, or poinsettia, developed a long-standing reputation for being highly toxic on the basis of a case report of a child fatality in 1919. However, accumulated experience since then has shown that poinsettia ingestions are largely benign, with mucous membrane irritation or gastrointestinal distress being reported only rarely.[15] Once the parents have been reassured, this child may be safely sent home with instructions to return if gastrointestinal distress develops.

Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons | Scott Bauer.

Slide 23

A 2-year-old boy is found eating the leaves of this plant found in the family's backyard. In addition to gastrointestinal upset, which of the following laboratory abnormalities is expected to occur following ingestion?

  1. Hyperkalemia
  2. Hypoglycemia
  3. Hyponatremia
  4. Lymphocytosis
  5. Thrombocytopenia

Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons | John B.

Slide 24

Answer: D. Lymphocytosis

Phytolacca americana, or pokeweed, an approximately 12-foot-tall plant native to the United States, is recognizable for its purple stems and clusters of purplish to black berries. When ingested, pokeweed causes gastrointestinal upset, including nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. Rarely, hemorrhagic gastritis, bradycardia, hypotension, and death may ensue. A plant component, pokeweed mitogen, produces a lymphocytosis that lasts 2-10 days after exposure. Interestingly, poke sallet (or poke salad) is a traditional Southern food, produced by parboiling the leaves or berries to reduce their toxin burden.

Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons | Algirdas.

More Slideshows

For More Information, See the Following Resources

< Previous Next >
  • Google+
  • LinkedIn
EXIT FULLSCREEN

.