title: Laboratory investigation of epidemic dropsy in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Food adulteration including adulteration of edible oils may cause serious health problems. One of the most common edible adulterants is argemone oil. An outbreak of epidemic dropsy occurred in Addis Ababa during May-June, 2008. One hundred and eighty two cases were recorded with twelve confirmed deaths. Dietary history of the cases revealed that vegetable oils were the usual cooking medium.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of the study was hence to investigate the causes of this outbreak.
  
  
  METHODS
  Contaminant identification was done using standard chemical tests, complemented with TLC. Toxicity study was done using Swiss albino mice feed with contaminated and non contaminated standard diet for 30 days.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Laboratory investigation of the edible oils has indicated that 47 of the 280 edible oils analyzed were adulterated with argemone oil. About 81% of the edible oil samples collected from Lideta sub-city were adulterated with argemone oil. Toxicological investigation of the adulterated oils also indicated typical features of argemone alkaloid poisoning in mice.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Results of both laboratory analysis and toxicological studies confirmed consumption of edible oils adulterated with argemone oil as the cause of epidemic dropsy in Addis Ababa.
authors.forename: Ashenafi
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Assefa
authors.forename: Frehiwot
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Teka
authors.forename: Mulugeta
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Guta
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Melaku
authors.forename: Ebrahim
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Naser
authors.forename: Brehanu
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Tesfaye
authors.forename: Tsehaynesh
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Messele
authors.forename: Amha
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kebede
authors.forename: Mesay
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Getachew
authors.forename: Kissi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Mudi
authors.forename: Achamyeleh
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Alebachew
authors.forename: Aklilu
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Azazh
authors.forename: Abate
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bane
authors.forename: Teshale
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Seboxa
authors.forename: Samson
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Girma
authors.forename: Redwan
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Muzein
authors.forename: Kelbessa
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Urga
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000818:Animals; D053119:Benzophenanthridines / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000633:toxicity; D002316:Cardiotonic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000633:toxicity; D002648:Child; D004034:Diet Surveys; D004196:Disease Outbreaks; D004487:Edema / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy*; D005002:Ethiopia / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D005506:Food Contamination; D006801:Humans; D007546:Isoquinolines / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000633:toxicity; D035002:Lower Extremity; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008875:Middle Aged; D010938:Plant Oils / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000633:toxicity; D012307:Risk Factors; D018675:Toxicity Tests; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D053119:Benzophenanthridines; D002316:Cardiotonic Agents; D007546:Isoquinolines; D010938:Plant Oils; C030610:argemone oil; C005705:sanguinarine