Food poisoning due to money tree seeds:a case report of toxic encephalopathy

Background:The money tree is a favored indoor potted plant in China.Its seeds resemble chestnuts in both shape and flavor when cooked,which are generally considered non-toxic and safe for consumption.Case presentation:This report presents the first published case of food poisoning due to the ingestion of large amounts of money tree seeds.A 67-year-old man exhibited toxic encephalopathy symptoms and dyspnea after consuming the seeds for approximately 6 months.After empirical mechanical ventilation,therapeutic plasma exchange,and other medical interventions,the patient’s clinical status improved significantly.He was subsequently discharged from the hospital.Conclusion:Consuming a substantial quantity of money tree seeds within a limited timeframe can lead to poisoning,resulting in adverse outcomes,particularly toxic encephalopathy.Moreover,plasma exchange may have some therapeutic effect.