PMID: 9554066Apr 29, 1998Paper

Those pesky berries ... are they a source of concern?

Veterinary and Human Toxicology
E P KrenzelokJ Aronis

Abstract

Plant exposures constitute the 4th most common call to poison information centers. Within the plant category, exposures to unidentified berries are common and often create panic in the public and indecisiveness by health professionals. Are exposures to unidentified berries associated with morbidity and mortality? Can these berry exposures be managed at home or do they necessitate medical evaluation? The AAPCC Toxic Exposure Surveillance System was queried to identify exposures with the "unidentified berry" code for a 10-y period. Data parameters included frequency, age, outcome, patient disposition, referral pattern, symptom progression and therapeutic intervention. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Unidentified berry exposures included 11,237 incidents, making it the 11th most common plant-related exposure. Children < 6 y-of-age accounted for 88.5% of the exposures, and 88.5% occurred during June-October. There were no fatalities, and morbidity included 1 major outcome in an infant and 26 exposures with moderate outcomes. In exposures with a known outcome, no effects (86.0%) and minor effects (13.6%) accounted for 99.6% of exposures. When a patient was initially asymptomatic, 89.7% did not develop symptoms a...Continue Reading

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.