Common toxidromes of plant poisonings in Taiwan.
OBJECTIVE
To describe the toxidromes associated with plant poisonings in Taiwan.


METHODS
Retrospective review of acute single-plant exposures with clinical signs and symptoms reported between January 1987 and December 2006 by hospitals to the network of Taiwan Poison Control Centers. Recorded data included demographic data, intent of exposures, exposure routes, clinical findings, and therapeutic strategies.


RESULTS
There were 389 cases that met the criteria. Each case was placed into one of the expected toxidromes: anticholinergic, mucosal inflammation, gastroenteritis, acute multisystem organ failure, delayed multisystem organ failure, cholinergic, cardiac dysrhythmia, hepatotoxicity, dermatitis, seizures, and dyspnea. Anticholinergic poisoning was the most common toxidrome.


CONCLUSIONS
Plant poisonings can be classified into recognizable toxicologic syndromes. These toxidromes may guide a clinician's evaluation and management before a botanist can confirm the actual plant identity.
Lin
Tzeng Jih
TJ
Department of Emergency, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.
Nelson
Lewis S
LS
Tsai
Jin Lian
JL
Hung
Dong Zong
DZ
Hu
Sheng Chuan
SC
Chan
Hon Man
HM
Deng
Jou-Fang
JF
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D062787:Drug Overdose; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010939:Plant Poisoning / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy; D011039:Poison Control Centers / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013405:Suicide; D013577:Syndrome; D013624:Taiwan / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult