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.

Assessment of rehabilitation treatment for patients with acute poisoning-induced toxic encephalopathy

BACKGROUND:Poisoned patients often suffer damage to multiple systems,and those experiencing central nervous system disorders present more severe conditions,prolonged hospital stays,and increased mortality rates.We aimed to assess the efficacy of rehabilitation interventions for patients with toxic encephalopathy.METHODS:This retrospective,observational,comparative cohort study was performed at the teaching hospital affiliated of Nanjing Medical University,from October 2020 to December 2022.Patients who met the diagnostic criteria for toxic encephalopathy and exclusion criteria were included,and patients were divided into three subgroups according to Glasgow Coma Scale(GCS).Demographic and clinical characteristics were collected.The effect of the rehabilitation intervention on patients were assessed in the improvement of consciousness status(Glasgow Coma Scale[GCS]score),muscle strength and movement and swallowing function(Fugl-Meyer Assessment[FMA]scale,Water Swallow Test[WST],and Standardized Swallowing Assessment[SSA]).Subgroup analysis was based on different toxic species.RESULTS:Out of the 464 patients with toxic encephalopathy,184 cases received rehabilitation treatments.For the severe toxic encephalopathy patients,patients without rehabilitation intervention have a 2.21 times higher risk of death compared to patients with rehabilitation intervention(Hazard ratio[HR]=2.21).Subgroup analysis revealed that rehabilitation intervention significantly increased the survival rate of patients with pesticide poisoning(P=0.02),while no significant improvement was observed in patients with drug/biological agent poisoning(P=0.44).After rehabilitation intervention,significant improvement in GCS and FMA were observed in severe patients with toxic encephalopathy(P<0.01).CONCLUSION:Active rehabilitation intervention for patients exposed to poisons that can potentially cause toxic encephalopathy may improve the prognosis and reduce the mortality rate in clinical practice.

A case of occupational hydrogen sulfide poisoning caused by Marine fish cabin operation

Objective To report a case of occupational hydrosulphide toxic encephalopathy caused by marine fish cabin operation.Methods The clinical data of a patient with toxic encephalopathy caused by hydrogen sulfide aspiration,admitted to our hospital in September 2018,were analyzed and summarized.Results The patient suffered from toxic encephalopathy after inhaling hydrogen sulfide gas released by decaying fish in the fish compartmenthas a clear occupational exposurehistory.After admission,he was given a comprehensive treatment of low molecular weight heparin,salvia miltiorrhiza polyphenols,nutritional nerve,and other drugs.Conclusions There is no specific antidote for hydrogen sulfide poisoning.For the patient with toxic encephalopathy caused by severe hydrogen sulfide poisoning,it is very important to give comprehensive treatment such as improving microcirculation.