title: Tutu toxicity: three case reports of Coriaria arborea ingestion, review of literature and recommendations for management.
abstract: We describe three cases of tutu berry (Coriaria arborea) ingestion resulting in tonic-clonic seizures in two individuals and mild symptoms in the third. Tutu poisoning in humans appears to be a rare occurrence; the last reported case in the medical literature being over 40 years ago. We review the literature on tutu poisoning and recommend extending the period of observation for poisoned individuals from 8 hours to 12 hours or longer. We also recommend that prophylactic benzodiazepine use should be considered in those with mild to moderate symptoms of poisoning.
authors.affiliation: Emergency Department, Nelson Hospital, Tipahi Street, Nelson 7010, New Zealand. sally.belcher@hotmail.co.uk
authors.forename: Sally F
authors.initials: SF
authors.lastname: Belcher
authors.forename: Tom R
authors.initials: TR
authors.lastname: Morton
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003975:Diazepam / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004830:Epilepsy, Tonic-Clonic / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy; D005260:Female; D005638:Fruit / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009325:Nausea / Q000139:chemically induced; D010852:Picrotoxin / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D010939:Plant Poisoning / Q000175:diagnosis; D010947:Plants, Toxic / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012717:Sesquiterpenes / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013610:Tachycardia / Q000139:chemically induced; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000927:Anticonvulsants; D003975:Diazepam; D010852:Picrotoxin; D012717:Sesquiterpenes; C009614:tutin