Organic arsenic intoxication from bird's nest soup.
OBJECTIVE
To present a case of organic arsenic intoxication after consumption of bird's nest soup in a Vietnamese patient.


METHODS
We have described the clinical picture of a patient with organic arsenic intoxication, and high levels of urine arsenic after consumption of bird's nest soup.


RESULTS
Withdrawal of bird's nest soup coincided with a decrease in urinary arsenic levels and the disappearance of peripheral neuropathy.


CONCLUSIONS
This case illustrates the environmental contamination of bird's nest soup with organic arsenic. A prompt removal of the source from the diet resulted in clinical improvement.
Luong
K V
KV
Nguyen
L T
LT
D020261:Arsenic Poisoning; D002140:California; D004032:Diet / Q000009:adverse effects*; D056890:Eukaryota / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011041:Poisoning / Q000209:etiology; D014744:Vietnam / Q000208:ethnology