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Constantinos Maravelias - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • accidental poisoning after ingestion of aphrodisiac berries diagnosis by analytical toxicology
    Journal of Emergency Medicine, 2012
    Co-Authors: Panagiota Nikolaou, Maria Stefanidou, Constantinos Maravelias, Ioannis Papoutsis, Artemis Dona, Chara Spiliopoulou, Sotirios Athanaselis
    Abstract:

    Abstract Background A large number of plants, seeds, and berries have been used for medicinal, psychotropic, or aphrodisiac purposes for a thousand years. Mandragora officinarum belongs to the family of Solanaceae and is traditionally known as an aphrodisiac and is closely associated with witchcraft. Objectives In this study we report a case of an accidental poisoning after ingestion of some “aphrodisiac” berries and the contribution of the toxicological analysis in the case investigation. Case Report A 35-year-old man was admitted to the hospital with clinical signs and symptoms of an Anticholinergic Syndrome. The diagnosis of the poisoning was made by the toxicological analysis of the patient’s urine. The cause of the poisoning was revealed by his girlfriend’s disclosure that the patient had intentionally consumed some “aphrodisiac” berries to enhance his sexual performance. Subsequently, berries similar to the ones consumed were sent to the laboratory. The analysis of the urine and the berries revealed the presence of hyoscyamine and scopolamine; the berries were identified as Mandragora officinarum berries. Decontamination and symptomatic treatment were proven effective for the control of this poisoning. The patient recovered completely after hospitalization for 4 days. Conclusion This case report indicates the importance of analytical toxicology in diagnosis of intoxications after the consumption of unknown plants or plant products and presents the clinical aspects of Mandragora intoxication.

  • mass intoxication with datura innoxia case series and confirmation by analytical toxicology
    Clinical Toxicology, 2010
    Co-Authors: Ioannis Papoutsis, Maria Stefanidou, Panagiota Nikolaou, Sotirios Athanaselis, Chara Spiliopoulou, Constantinos Pistos, Constantinos Maravelias
    Abstract:

    Background. Anticholinergic plants contain a variety of alkaloids that are toxic if ingested. Datura innoxia belongs to the family of Solanaceae and contains two main toxic alkaloids, atropine and scopolamine. Case series. In this study we report the case series of seven individuals who were admitted to two different hospitals of Athens with an Anticholinergic Syndrome. All symptoms manifested after consumption of cooked vegetables (blites). Investigation. The investigation of the cases revealed that among the vegetables there was also Datura innoxia, which has a similar appearance to blites. Urine and plasma samples of the seven patients, as well as a sample of cooked vegetables, were analyzed with gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. Atropine and scopolamine were confirmed in all urine and vegetable samples, but not in plasma probably because of the delay in sample collection. The urine samples of all patients contained atropine in concentrations between 67.1 and 691.7 ng/mL, while urine concentrations...

Joseph C Cross - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

Cynthia E Epstein - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • central Anticholinergic Syndrome on therapeutic doses of cyproheptadine
    Pediatrics, 1999
    Co-Authors: Nathan Watemberg, Karl S Roth, Fusun Alehan, Cynthia E Epstein
    Abstract:

    * Abbreviations: CNS = : central nervous system • CAS = : central Anticholinergic Syndrome • MCV = : Medical College of Virginia Drug safety and dosage is a particularly relevant subject in pediatric patients, because such factors are generally not considered by pharmaceutical companies when drug information is generated. Only recently has the Food and Drug Administration become interested in this area of pharmaceutical marketing and prescribing. Because of developmentally-related metabolic differences, drug absorption and metabolism differs greatly between children and adults, as well as children of different ages.1 Accordingly, central nervous system (CNS) toxicity associated with the use of therapeutic dosages of any drug in children is potentially possible and physicians should be alert to this at all times. CNS effects are particularly likely to occur with medications that have an intrinsic neurotropic action as, for example, Anticholinergic drugs. Such action may be seen in many pharmacologic agents, including those that are in common use for conditions unrelated to CNS pathology. Agents with Anticholinergic activity, such as cyproheptadine (Periactin), can cause an acute CNS Syndrome resembling acute psychosis.2 Nonetheless, it is uncommon to observe a true toxic reaction to these agents except at high dosage levels. We describe the case of a child who developed central Anticholinergic Syndrome (CAS) while on therapeutic doses of cyproheptadine for migraine prophylaxis, and review the literature pertaining to similar cases in children. A 9-year-old boy presented to the Medical College of Virginia (MCV) emergency department with hallucinations and agitation. He had gone to bed without complaints, and at 1 am he awoke abruptly, talking incessantly about his homework, despite having completed it that evening. As the night progressed he became intermittently agitated, and began experiencing visual hallucinations: he would pick up imaginary objects, and see people who were not present in the room. Around 7:30 am his mother brought him to the MCV emergency department. The patient, who was an excellent student, had …

Leroy R Osborne - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

Ioannis Papoutsis - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • accidental poisoning after ingestion of aphrodisiac berries diagnosis by analytical toxicology
    Journal of Emergency Medicine, 2012
    Co-Authors: Panagiota Nikolaou, Maria Stefanidou, Constantinos Maravelias, Ioannis Papoutsis, Artemis Dona, Chara Spiliopoulou, Sotirios Athanaselis
    Abstract:

    Abstract Background A large number of plants, seeds, and berries have been used for medicinal, psychotropic, or aphrodisiac purposes for a thousand years. Mandragora officinarum belongs to the family of Solanaceae and is traditionally known as an aphrodisiac and is closely associated with witchcraft. Objectives In this study we report a case of an accidental poisoning after ingestion of some “aphrodisiac” berries and the contribution of the toxicological analysis in the case investigation. Case Report A 35-year-old man was admitted to the hospital with clinical signs and symptoms of an Anticholinergic Syndrome. The diagnosis of the poisoning was made by the toxicological analysis of the patient’s urine. The cause of the poisoning was revealed by his girlfriend’s disclosure that the patient had intentionally consumed some “aphrodisiac” berries to enhance his sexual performance. Subsequently, berries similar to the ones consumed were sent to the laboratory. The analysis of the urine and the berries revealed the presence of hyoscyamine and scopolamine; the berries were identified as Mandragora officinarum berries. Decontamination and symptomatic treatment were proven effective for the control of this poisoning. The patient recovered completely after hospitalization for 4 days. Conclusion This case report indicates the importance of analytical toxicology in diagnosis of intoxications after the consumption of unknown plants or plant products and presents the clinical aspects of Mandragora intoxication.

  • mass intoxication with datura innoxia case series and confirmation by analytical toxicology
    Clinical Toxicology, 2010
    Co-Authors: Ioannis Papoutsis, Maria Stefanidou, Panagiota Nikolaou, Sotirios Athanaselis, Chara Spiliopoulou, Constantinos Pistos, Constantinos Maravelias
    Abstract:

    Background. Anticholinergic plants contain a variety of alkaloids that are toxic if ingested. Datura innoxia belongs to the family of Solanaceae and contains two main toxic alkaloids, atropine and scopolamine. Case series. In this study we report the case series of seven individuals who were admitted to two different hospitals of Athens with an Anticholinergic Syndrome. All symptoms manifested after consumption of cooked vegetables (blites). Investigation. The investigation of the cases revealed that among the vegetables there was also Datura innoxia, which has a similar appearance to blites. Urine and plasma samples of the seven patients, as well as a sample of cooked vegetables, were analyzed with gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. Atropine and scopolamine were confirmed in all urine and vegetable samples, but not in plasma probably because of the delay in sample collection. The urine samples of all patients contained atropine in concentrations between 67.1 and 691.7 ng/mL, while urine concentrations...