Ricin: Difference between revisions
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*Found in castor beans from the plant ''Ricinus communis'' | *Found in castor beans from the plant ''Ricinus communis'' | ||
**A residual product of the production of castor oil (if properly prepared, does not contain the toxin) | **A residual product of the production of castor oil (if properly prepared, does not contain the toxin) | ||
*Exposure can be parenteral, inhaled, or ingested | |||
==Clinical Features== | ==Clinical Features== | ||
Revision as of 02:02, 10 June 2015
Background
- Found in castor beans from the plant Ricinus communis
- A residual product of the production of castor oil (if properly prepared, does not contain the toxin)
- Exposure can be parenteral, inhaled, or ingested
Clinical Features
- First symptoms occur 3-12 hours after exposure
- Multi-organ failure occurred with a prominently elevated white blood cell count
- Acute lung injury
- Pulmonary edema may develop one to 3 days after exposure
- fever, cough, shortness of breath, and nausea
- Pulmonary edema may develop one to 3 days after exposure
- Death 36-48 hours after exposure
- Alveolar flooding, fibropurulent pneumonia, and necrotizing tracheitis
Differential Diagnosis
Diagnosis
- Chest x-ray = bilateral infiltrates
Management
Disposition
See Also
External Links
References
- Lutwick LI,Gradon J, Zellen J: Category B Biotoxins. In Lutwick LI, Lutwick SM (eds), Beyond Anthrax: Bioterror - The Weaponization of Infectious Diseases. Springer-Humana, New York, 2009, New York, pp. 181-206: