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- Title
A Case of Fatal Aconitine Poisoning by Monkshood Ingestion.
- Authors
Pullela, Ravi; Young, Lorraine; Gallagher, Barry; Avis, Simon P.; Randell, Edward W.
- Abstract
Accidental aconitine poisoning is extremely rare in North America. This report describes the confirmation of a case of accidental aconitine poisoning using a liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method. The case involved a 25-year-old man who died suddenly following a recreational outing with friends where he consumed a number of wild berries and plants including one that was later identified as Monkshood ( Aconitum napellus). Postmortem blood and urine samples were available for analysis. All routine urine and blood toxicology screens were negative. The LC-MS/MS method allowed sensitive quantification of aconitine, the main toxin in A. napellus, and showed 3.6 and 149 μg/L in blood and urine, respectively. These concentrations were similar to that reported in other aconitine-related deaths. This case illustrates the dangers of consuming unidentified plants, and documents concentrations of aconitine in blood and urine in a fatal case of A. napallus-related poisoning.
- Subjects
NORTH America; POISONING; FORENSIC toxicology; FORENSIC chemistry; FORENSIC medicine; HOMICIDE; INGESTION; CHROMATOGRAPHIC analysis; TOXICOLOGICAL emergencies
- Publication
Journal of Forensic Sciences, 2008, Vol 53, Issue 2, p491
- ISSN
0022-1198
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1111/j.1556-4029.2007.00647.x