A fatal poisoning from Nicotiana glauca.
A young adult male was found dead in a field. No cause of death was apparent at autopsy, and the only positive toxicological finding was the presence of a nicotine-like alkaloid isolated from the liver. Anabasine, the major, highly toxic alkaloid of the shrub, Nicotiana glauca (tree tobacco) was subsequently identified in all body specimens examined using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. Concentrations of anabasine in blood, urine and other body organs are reported.
Office of the Bexar County Medical Examiner, San Antonio, Texas 78207.
J L
JL
Castorena
J C
JC
Garriott
F E
FE
Barnhardt
R F
RF
Shaw
D000328:Adult; D000470:Alkaloids / Q000032:analysis / Q000506:poisoning*; D000691:Anabasine / Q000032:analysis / Q000506:poisoning*; D008401:Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010880:Piperidines / Q000506:poisoning*; D010939:Plant Poisoning / Q000209:etiology*; D010947:Plants, Toxic; D014026:Nicotiana
D000470:Alkaloids; D010880:Piperidines; D000691:Anabasine