Exposures to fruit plants in Germany from 2010-2019 : Analysis of the Erfurt joint poison information center database

• Published in: Bundesgesundheitsblatt, Gesundheitsforschung, Gesundheitsschutz Vol. 66; no. 12; pp. 1423 - 1433
• Main Authors: Wendt, Sebastian, Prasa, Dagmar, Lübbert, Christoph, Begemann, Kathrin, Franke, Heike
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: German
• Published: 01.12.2023
• ISSN: 1437-1588
• DOI: 10.1007/s00103-023-03780-7

BACKGROUNDInquiries about fruit plants are a frequent reason for consultation with poison information centers, although it should be emphasized that there are no large systematic studies on toxicity based on exposure data. The aim of this work is to determine the risk of poisoning by fruit plants in Germany.METHODSRetrospective study of data from the Erfurt Joint Poison Information Center on poisoning inquiries regarding fruit plants (2010-2019) with a detailed presentation of interim results, a tabular handout, plant photos as identification aids, and trend analyses.RESULTSFrom 16,088 plant exposures with 16,700 plants, 214 different fruit plant species were identified. Forty-five fruit plant species (21%) turned out to be relevant (≥ 30 inquiries) and of these, 6 (2.8%) turned out to be highly relevant (≥ 300 inquiries). All relevant plants were assigned a defined risk category (RC): RC 0 (2; 4.4%), RC 1 (26; 57.8%), RC 2 (12; 26.7%), and RC 3 (5; 11.1%). Regarding the inquiries, 6% (459/7607) were related to RC 0; 47.9% (3645/7607) to RC 1; 39.3% to RC 2 (2986/7607); and 6.8% (517/7607) to RC 3. Of the inquiries, 69.5% (5284/7607) were related to young children (1 to < 6 years). Exposure outcomes for all age groups were asymptomatic in 82%, mild in 14.7%, moderate in 3%, and severe in 0.3%, with severe poisoning caused by seven plant species. Interventions were initiated in 66.8% (5079) of the inquiries. Inquiries were most frequently related to Taxus baccata, Ligustrum vulgare, Physalis alkekengi, Prunus laurocerasus, Convallaria majalis, Mahonia spec., Sambucus spec., Lonicera spec., Sorbus aucuparia, Thuja spec., Hedera helix, and Cotoneaster spec.DISCUSSIONPoisoning by fruit plants in Germany is rare. However, there is a great need for information and education.