Fatal Taxus baccata ingestion with perimortem serum taxine B quantification.
Clin Toxicol (Phila)
; 54(9): 878-880, 2016 Nov.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-27436403
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION:
Common yew (Taxus baccata) is a common decorative evergreen shrub with potentially fatal toxicity hallmarked by seizure, arrhythmia and cardiovascular collapse if ingested. Taxine B has been identified as one of the most cardiotoxic taxine alkaloids in Taxus spp, and another alkaloid, 3,5-dimethoxyphenol (3,5-DMP), is used as a marker of ingestion. We present a fatal case of ingestion of yew with perimortem serum and gastric taxine B, and 3,5-DMP concentrations. CASE PRESENTATION A 22-year-old woman was brought to the emergency department (ED) from a nearby botanical garden after she was found apneic and pulseless after a witnessed generalized tonic clonic seizure. The patient was found to have a wide complex rhythm with persistent cardiovascular collapse and expired despite maximal supportive care in the ED. A baggie of plant material was found on the patient, identified as Taxus baccata. Perimortem serum and gastric samples were analyzed to quantify serum and gastric taxine B and 3,5-DMP concentrations.RESULTS:
Perimortem serum showed a 3,5-DMP concentration of 86.9 ng/mL, and taxine B of 80.9 ug/mL.CONCLUSION:
We report a perimortem serum and gastric taxine B and 3,5-DMP concentrations in a fatal case of T. baccata toxicity.Palavras-chave
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Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Floroglucinol
/
Intoxicação por Plantas
/
Taxus
/
Taxoides
/
Alcaloides
Idioma:
En
Ano de publicação:
2016
Tipo de documento:
Article