Food poisoning due to money tree seeds: a case report of toxic encephalopathy

Abstract. Background. The money tree is a favored indoor potted plant in China. Its seeds resemble chestnuts in both shape and flavor when cooked, which are generally considered non-toxic and safe for consumption. Case presentation. This report presents the first published case of food poisoning due...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Yue Zhao, Xiaojiao Quan, Tao Wang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wolters Kluwer Health/LWW 2024-09-01
Series:Emergency and Critical Care Medicine
Online Access:http://journals.lww.com/10.1097/EC9.0000000000000119
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Summary:Abstract. Background. The money tree is a favored indoor potted plant in China. Its seeds resemble chestnuts in both shape and flavor when cooked, which are generally considered non-toxic and safe for consumption. Case presentation. This report presents the first published case of food poisoning due to the ingestion of large amounts of money tree seeds. A 67-year-old man exhibited toxic encephalopathy symptoms and dyspnea after consuming the seeds for approximately 6 months. After empirical mechanical ventilation, therapeutic plasma exchange, and other medical interventions, the patient’s clinical status improved significantly. He was subsequently discharged from the hospital. Conclusion. Consuming a substantial quantity of money tree seeds within a limited timeframe can lead to poisoning, resulting in adverse outcomes, particularly toxic encephalopathy. Moreover, plasma exchange may have some therapeutic effect.
ISSN:2097-0617
2693-860X