Urtica ferox neuropathy.
A 21-year-old student developed an acute, symmetrical, predominantly motor polyneuropathy within 48 h of walking through a patch of nettles (Urtica ferox). Two companions had similar but less severe symptoms. Nerve conduction studies demonstrated markedly reduced compound muscle action potentials and prolonged distal motor latencies. Recovery occurred over a period of a few weeks. This case demonstrates that cutaneous exposure to Urtica ferox can cause an acute polyneuropathy and that its stinging hairs contain an unidentified neurotoxin.
Hammond-Tooke
Graeme D
GD
Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Otago Medical School, P.O. Box 913, Dunedin, New Zealand. graemeH@healthotago.co.nz
Taylor
Peter
P
Punchihewa
Saman
S
Beasley
Michael
M
D000200:Action Potentials / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D000328:Adult; D004576:Electromyography; D020233:Gait Disorders, Neurologic / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D018836:Inflammation Mediators / Q000009:adverse effects; D008297:Male; D018908:Muscle Weakness / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000294:innervation / Q000503:physiopathology; D009431:Neural Conduction / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D009498:Neurotoxins / Q000506:poisoning*; D009520:New Zealand; D010525:Peripheral Nerves / Q000187:drug effects / Q000503:physiopathology; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000009:adverse effects; D011115:Polyneuropathies / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology; D012021:Reflex, Abnormal / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D012678:Sensation Disorders / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000503:physiopathology; D027003:Urticaceae / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000737:chemistry
D018836:Inflammation Mediators; D009498:Neurotoxins; D010936:Plant Extracts