Fatal colchicine poisoning by accidental ingestion of meadow saffron-case report.
A 62-year-old male died of colchicine poisoning after accidental ingestion of Colchicum autumnale (meadow saffron). He ate a salad of plant with green leaves regarded as wild garlic (Allium ursinum). A few hours later he developed symptoms of gastroenteritis and was admitted to hospital. In spite of gastric lavage, activated charcoal and supportive measures, multi-organ system failure developed over the next two days. Laboratory analysis showed highly elevated blood concentrations of hepatic enzymes, creatine kinase, lactate dehydrogenase and blood urea nitrogen, as well as leukocytopenia and thrombocytopenia. Mechanical ventilation, dopamine, noradrenaline, crystalloid solutions and fresh frozen plasma were applied but despite treatment the patient died five days after the ingestion. Post-mortem examination revealed hepatic centrilobular necrosis, nephrotoxic acute tubular necrosis, petechial bleeding in fatty tissue, blunt and shortened intestinal villi and cerebral toxic edema. Botanical identification of incriminated plant gave Colchicum autumnale which confirmed colchicine poisoning. Although the accidental ingestion of Colchicum autumnale is rare and to our knowledge only five such cases have been described in detail, this is the second fatal case in Croatia described in the last 3 years.
Sundov
Zeljko
Z
Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Clinical Hospital Split, Spinciceva 1, 21000 Split, Croatia. queen@st.htnet.hr
Nincevic
Zeljko
Z
Definis-Gojanovic
Marija
M
Glavina-Durdov
Merica
M
Jukic
Ivana
I
Hulina
Nada
N
Tonkic
Ante
A
D000059:Accidents; D003078:Colchicine / Q000506:poisoning*; D003079:Colchicum / Q000506:poisoning*; D005554:Forensic Medicine; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009846:Oliguria / Q000139:chemically induced; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000506:poisoning*; D012131:Respiratory Insufficiency / Q000139:chemically induced
D003078:Colchicine