Jimson weed food poisoning. An epidemic at Usangi rural government hospital
Rwiza, H.T.
Tropical and Geographical Medicine 43(1-2): 85-90
1991
ISSN/ISBN: 0041-3232 PMID: 1750136 Document Number: 373911
Datura stramonium is a notorious source of food poisoning; the weed grows with cereal crops and its seeds are harvested with the grain. They contain alkaloids of the tropane series, notably hyoscyamine which causes agitation, hallucinations, tachycardia, a dry mouth and fixed dilated pupils. In 1981, 10 patients from a sisal estate camp in Tanzania, who had eaten porridge made from millet obtained from a local depot of the National Milling Corporation, were admitted to Usangi hospital with characteristic signs of Datura poisoning. They were treated symptomatically; hyperactive or aggressive individuals were given phenobarbitone and 3 children were given dextrose drips to correct dehydration. By the second day, most were mentally alert but complained of blurred vision; they were discharged on the fourth day. The millet was found to contain 5-20% w/w of the black seeds of D. stramonium. [This very heavy and easily visible degree of contamination should have been detected at the depot or by the patients themselves. Vigilance is needed to prevent toxic weed seeds from spoiling crops, especially during combine harvesting in times of food shortage.]L.G. Goodwin Datura stramonium (Jimson weed, thorn apple) is an annual pantropical herb growing in waste land and cultivated areas throughout the tropics. The seeds of this plant may contaminate food crops during harvesting. A total of 10 agitated and psychotic patients were admitted to Usangi hospital after having eaten stiff-porridge (ugali) made from millet. The patients had cardinal signs of atropine poisoning (psychosis with hallucinations, tachycardia, fixed dilated pupils and a dry mouth). Toxicological analysis of the food samples revealed contamination with Jimson weed seeds which contained an atropine-like alkaloid. On studying the records of the chief government chemist, it was found that a similar type of food poisoning had occurred in at least 8 other regions. The clinical picture and management of this entirely preventable type of agricultural food poisoning are discussed.