Abstract
Two patients presented with life-threatening motor paresis after ingestion of leaves from the tree tobacco plant (Nicotiana glauca). In addition to severe muscle weakness, bulbar palsies, flexor muscle spasm, hypertension, nausea, vomiting, and respiratory compromise were reported or observed. These are the fourth and fifth reported cases of a toxicologic emergency apparently caused by the alkaloid, anabasine, an isomer of nicotine found in the tobacco tree plant. The effects of this plant ingestion can mimic other better-known causes of paresis or paralysis. In areas of the country where the plant is indigenous, this toxicologic condition should be considered in the differential diagnosis of patients presenting with paresis or paralysis.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 101-104 |
| Number of pages | 4 |
| Journal | Annals of emergency medicine |
| Volume | 34 |
| Issue number | 1 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Jan 1 1999 |
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ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Emergency Medicine
Cite this
Neuromuscular blockade after ingestion of tree tobacco (Nicotiana glauca). / Mellick, L. B.; Makowski, T.; Mellick, G. A.; Borger, R.
In: Annals of emergency medicine, Vol. 34, No. 1, 01.01.1999, p. 101-104.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Neuromuscular blockade after ingestion of tree tobacco (Nicotiana glauca)
AU - Mellick, L. B.
AU - Makowski, T.
AU - Mellick, G. A.
AU - Borger, R.
PY - 1999/1/1
Y1 - 1999/1/1
N2 - Two patients presented with life-threatening motor paresis after ingestion of leaves from the tree tobacco plant (Nicotiana glauca). In addition to severe muscle weakness, bulbar palsies, flexor muscle spasm, hypertension, nausea, vomiting, and respiratory compromise were reported or observed. These are the fourth and fifth reported cases of a toxicologic emergency apparently caused by the alkaloid, anabasine, an isomer of nicotine found in the tobacco tree plant. The effects of this plant ingestion can mimic other better-known causes of paresis or paralysis. In areas of the country where the plant is indigenous, this toxicologic condition should be considered in the differential diagnosis of patients presenting with paresis or paralysis.
AB - Two patients presented with life-threatening motor paresis after ingestion of leaves from the tree tobacco plant (Nicotiana glauca). In addition to severe muscle weakness, bulbar palsies, flexor muscle spasm, hypertension, nausea, vomiting, and respiratory compromise were reported or observed. These are the fourth and fifth reported cases of a toxicologic emergency apparently caused by the alkaloid, anabasine, an isomer of nicotine found in the tobacco tree plant. The effects of this plant ingestion can mimic other better-known causes of paresis or paralysis. In areas of the country where the plant is indigenous, this toxicologic condition should be considered in the differential diagnosis of patients presenting with paresis or paralysis.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=0032984123&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=0032984123&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/S0196-0644(99)70280-5
DO - 10.1016/S0196-0644(99)70280-5
M3 - Article
C2 - 10382003
AN - SCOPUS:0032984123
VL - 34
SP - 101
EP - 104
JO - Annals of Emergency Medicine
JF - Annals of Emergency Medicine
SN - 0196-0644
IS - 1
ER -