Citation

Zhang Q, Chen X, Chen S, Liu Z, Wan R, Li J. Wilderness Environ. Med. 2016; 27(2): 271-273.

Affiliation

Yunnan Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Kunming, China (Drs Zhang, Liu, Wan, and Li).

Copyright

(Copyright © 2016, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.wem.2016.01.002

PMID

27132027

Abstract

Mad honey poisoning has been reported in many countries, and it seldom results in death. We describe a rare case series of fatal honey poisoning caused by Tripterygium wilfordii Hook F (TwHF) in Southwest China. Three male construction workers were delivered to the emergency department with symptoms of food poisoning after ingestion of wild raw honey. Laboratory results showed that the 3 patients were at different degrees of renal damage, and 1 patient with severe symptoms died of acute renal failure 1 day after admission. Pollen analysis indicated that the suspected honey was heavily contaminated with TwHF pollen. Early diagnosis and prompt treatment are crucial for such poisoning. Pollen analysis is a practical approach to help diagnosis in remote areas where such honey poisoning occurs.

Copyright © 2016 Wilderness Medical Society. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Language: en