Wild lettuce (Lactuca virosa) toxicity

Wild lettuce (Lactuca virosa) can cause toxic effects when eaten. Wild lettuce grows in the north of Iran and some natives consume it unaware of its adverse side effects. We describe eight patients with manifestations of wild lettuce toxicity, admitted to a general hospital affiliated to the Golesta...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inBMJ case reports Vol. 2009; no. apr23 1; p. bcr0620080134
Main Authors Besharat, Sima, Besharat, Mahsa, Jabbari, Ali
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published England BMJ Publishing Group LTD 2009
BMJ Publishing Group
SeriesOther full case
Subjects
Anxiety
Asia
Consciousness
Diuretics
Herbs
Intubation
Laboratories
Lettuce
Male
Narcotics
Other Asian
Other Full Case
Patients
Retention
Toxicity
Urine
Vomiting
Iran
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Summary:Wild lettuce (Lactuca virosa) can cause toxic effects when eaten. Wild lettuce grows in the north of Iran and some natives consume it unaware of its adverse side effects. We describe eight patients with manifestations of wild lettuce toxicity, admitted to a general hospital affiliated to the Golestan University of Medical Sciences. All the patients recovered (although one had to spend 48 h in the intensive care unit) and no chronic complications were reported. A clinical suspicion of toxicity caused by wild lettuce intake and an accurate history formed the basis of the diagnosis. Conservative treatment, vital sign monitoring, control of patient intake and output, and reducing patient agitation provided the basis for treatment.
ISSN:1757-790X
1757-790X
DOI:10.1136/bcr.06.2008.0134