Toxicological analysis of a case of Datura stramonium poisoning

• Published in: Rinsho byori. The Japanese journal of clinical pathology Vol. 54; no. 10; p. 1003
• Main Authors: Matsuda, Kimiko, Morinaga, Mutsuko, Okamoto, Misao, Miyazaki, Shuhei, Isimaru, Tsuyoshi, Suzuki, Kouichiro, Tohyama, Kaoru
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Japanese
• Published: Japan 01.10.2006
• Subjects: Adult; Atropine - analysis; Atropine - blood; Atropine - poisoning; Atropine - urine; Charcoal - administration & dosage; Datura stramonium - chemistry; Datura stramonium - poisoning; Female; Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; Gastric Lavage; Gastrointestinal Contents - chemistry; Humans; Scopolamine Hydrobromide - analysis; Scopolamine Hydrobromide - blood; Scopolamine Hydrobromide - poisoning; Scopolamine Hydrobromide - urine
• ISSN: 0047-1860

We encountered a patient in a restless excitable state after eating boiled jimson weed grown in the patient's garden. The patient mistook the weed for Angelica keiskei. Pupillary dilation (7/7mm), weak light reflex, body temperature of 37 degrees C, respiratory frequency of 19/min, blood pressure of 138/88 mmHg, pulse rate of 108/min, and hot feeling were observed. No abnormalities nor special findings were detected by general examination of the peripheral blood, biochemical examination of the blood, general examination of the urine, or electrocardiography. Atropine and scopolamine, which are tropane alkaloids, were detected by the GC/MS. The retention time of atropine-TMS was 17.0 min, and the mass spectra were m/z 124, 82, and 140. The retention time of scopolamine-TMS was 17.7 min, and the mass spectra were m/z 138, 108, 154 and 375. At the time of consultation, the serum concentrations of atropine and scopolamine were 31.3 ng/ml, and 30.6 ng/ml, respectively, and decreased to 6.7 ng/ml and 8.5 ng/ml, respectively, after 2 hours. The patient underwent injection of activated carbon after gastrolavage with 2,000 ml warm water, and neostigmine was administered. The patient awoke the following morning, and was discharged with mild pupillary dilation 2 days after poisoning.