Citation

Vogel C, Skiba M, Worbs S, Dorner BG, Kaßberger F. Internist. Prax. 2021; 64(3): 478-483.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2021, E U H Marseille Verlag)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Recently ricin has become the focus of public attention in Germany due to a thwarted bioterrorist incident in Cologne. Ingestions of caster seeds in suicidal attempt have been reported worldwide. Thus, data on the clinical course of an intoxication are of particular interest. Our patient has recovered completely under symptomatic therapy after an oral ingestion of 40 castor seeds despite the potentially lethal dose and distinct symptoms of intoxication (rhabdomyolosis, long-QT-syndrome, hyperthermia, hepatopathy). Detection of ricin from feces and ricinine from serum and urine over the course of seven days post ingestionem confirmed ricin poisoning. Advice and special diagnostics on ricin intoxications including the management of potential crises can be obtained at the Robert Koch-Institute, Nordufer 20, 13353 Berlin, 24/7 phone: +49 (0)30 18754 - 0. © 2021 Mediengruppe Oberfranken - Fachverlage GmbH & Co. KG. All rights reserved.

Language: de

Keywords

suicide attempt; accidental intoxication; biothreat attack; castor seeds; ricin/ ricinine detection