On October 18, 1983, after a husband and wife ate a meal of
hamburger prepared at home, the husband collapsed, and the wife
telephoned for an ambulance to take him to a local hospital. When
the
ambulance arrived, the wife also became unconscious. Examination
of
the home showed no carbon monoxide source. Within 24 hours, the
couple regained consciousness and explained the circumstances of
their
illness.
In preparing the hamburger, the wife added what she thought was
seasoning but later realized was seeds of Angels' Trumpets (Datura
suaveolens) that had been drying above the stove for planting the
next
year. After removing most of the seeds from the cooked meat, the
husband and wife ate one hamburger patty each. Less than 1 hour
later, both began to hallucinate. Other symptoms were tachycardia
and
severe diarrhea. Both recovered and were discharged after 3 days
of
hospitalization.
Reported in Canada Diseases Weekly Report 1984;10:45.
Editorial Note
Editorial Note: There are several species of Datura, and all are
poisonous, containing high levels (0.25%-0.7%) of anticholinergic
alkaloids, such as atropine, hyoscyamine, and scopolamine. Three
species are widely distributed in North America, but only one, D.
suaveolens, is cultivated as an ornamental flower. Poisoning
through
the accidental mixing of seeds into food has been previously but
not
recently reported (1). "Locoweed" teas made from other Datura
species
have been used intentionally to produce hallucinatory effects (2).
Typical findings in Datura poisoning include pupillary
dilation,
flushing, fever, amnesia, urinary retention, decreased salivation,
and, in contrast to the cases reported here, decreased intestinal
motility. In more severe poisoning, active hallucinations, extreme
agitation, cardiac arrhythmias, convulsions, delirium, stupor, or
coma
may occur. Physostigmine, a reversible antiacetylcholinesterase
agent, may be useful in treating patients with central and
peripheral
manifestations of anticholinergic crisis.
References
Riemann H, ed. Food-borne infections and intoxications. 1st
ed.
New York: Academic Press, 1969.
Goldfrank LR, ed. Toxicologic emergencies: a comprehensive
handbook in problem solving. New York:
Appleton-Century-Crofts,
1982.
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