Castor Bean toxicosis- 40%

Question 1

What is castor bean toxicity?

Answer 1

Ricinus communis plant- Green plant and seeds both toxic, entire plant is risk but highest concentration in seeds.

Question 2

Toxin effects- Castor

Answer 2

ricin, inhibits protein syntheses - resulting in cell death. Ricin works by getting inside the cells of a body and preventing the cells from making the proteins they need. Without the proteins, cells die. Must be broken or masticated for ricin to activate- can eat whole seeds and pass in GIT without effects.

Question 3

Pathophysiology/ effects Castor

Answer 3

Inhalation- dyspnea, pulmonary edema, cyanosis
Ingestion- GI signs, Causes convulsions, kidney failure, and rapid death.

Question 4

Clinical signs Castor

Answer 4

Inhalation- dyspnea, pulmonary edema, cyanosis
Ingestion- GI signs (severe abdominal pain, drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, excessive thirst, weakness and loss of appetite), convulsions, muscle twitching, tremors, seizures, coma and death with ingestion. kidney failure/ dehydration.

Question 5

Diagnosis castor

Answer 5

1. Based on history and clinical signs and clin path (ALT, AST, BUN/ creatinine)
2. beans in stomach/ GIT
3. ricine in urine, plasma, serum via RIA/ ELISA but collection close to exposure required.

Question 6

Treatment Castor

Answer 6

No antidote- Emesis, activated charcoal, hospitalization, gastric lavage, aggressive IV fluids, control seizures, vomiting, gi protectants.

Question 7

Prognosis Castor

Answer 7

If only GI signs (with treatment) guarded> gets worse with liver, kidney involvement