TY - JOUR PY - 2023// TI - Poisoning from ingestion of fungus-infected cicada nymphs: characteristics and clinical outcomes of patients in Thailand JO - Toxins (Basel) A1 - Trakulsrichai, Satariya A1 - Satsue, Nattapon A1 - Tansuwannarat, Phantakan A1 - Krongvorakul, Jatupon A1 - Sueajai, Jetjamnong A1 - Santanirand, Pitak A1 - Wananukul, Winai SP - e22 EP - e22 VL - 16 IS - 1 N2 - The current data regarding poisoning associated with ingestion of fungus-infected cicada nymphs are limited. We performed a retrospective cohort study of patients who ingested fungus-infected cicada nymphs and were referred to the Ramathibodi Poison Center for consultation from June 2010 to June 2022. Thirty-nine patients were included for analysis. Most were men (53.8%). Mean age was 40.2 ± 15.0 years. All nymphs were ingested as a health/food supplement. Thirty-one patients (79.5%) reported gastrointestinal symptoms. Median time from ingestion to symptom onset was 5 h. Twenty-nine patients (74.4%) reported neurological symptoms, including tremor, myoclonus, muscle rigidity, nystagmus/ocular clonus, drowsiness, dysarthria, seizure, and confusion. Some complained of dizziness, urinary retention, and jaw stiffness. Most patients (94.9%) were admitted to the hospital. Median hospital stay was 3 days. Ibotenic acid was detected in the blood and urine samples of one patient. All received supportive care. Four patients developed infectious complications. No deaths occurred. Consuming fungus-infected cicada nymphs may cause poisoning in humans. Gastrointestinal and neurological symptoms were common. Ibotenic acid might be the underlying cause. The main treatment is supportive care and appropriate management of complications. Education of the general public is advocated to prevent the incidence of this type of poisoning.
Language: en
LA - en SN - 2072-6651 UR - http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/toxins16010022 ID - ref1 ER -