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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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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author Yue Zhao
Xiaojiao Quan
Tao Wang
author_facet Yue Zhao
Xiaojiao Quan
Tao Wang
author_sort Yue Zhao
collection DOAJ
description 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.
format Article
id doaj-art-2d3a31a94a864e0b9e6bb7e1127fe98a
institution DOAJ
issn 2097-0617
2693-860X
language English
publishDate 2024-09-01
publisher Wolters Kluwer Health/LWW
record_format Article
series Emergency and Critical Care Medicine
spelling doaj-art-2d3a31a94a864e0b9e6bb7e1127fe98a2025-08-20T03:17:55ZengWolters Kluwer Health/LWWEmergency and Critical Care Medicine2097-06172693-860X2024-09-014312612910.1097/EC9.0000000000000119202409000-00006Food poisoning due to money tree seeds: a case report of toxic encephalopathyYue Zhao0Xiaojiao Quan1Tao Wang2a Department of Emergency Medicine, Hainan Hospital of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Sanya, Hainan, Chinaa Department of Emergency Medicine, Hainan Hospital of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Sanya, Hainan, Chinaa Department of Emergency Medicine, Hainan Hospital of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Sanya, Hainan, ChinaAbstract. 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.http://journals.lww.com/10.1097/EC9.0000000000000119
spellingShingle Yue Zhao
Xiaojiao Quan
Tao Wang
Food poisoning due to money tree seeds: a case report of toxic encephalopathy
Emergency and Critical Care Medicine
title Food poisoning due to money tree seeds: a case report of toxic encephalopathy
title_full Food poisoning due to money tree seeds: a case report of toxic encephalopathy
title_fullStr Food poisoning due to money tree seeds: a case report of toxic encephalopathy
title_full_unstemmed Food poisoning due to money tree seeds: a case report of toxic encephalopathy
title_short Food poisoning due to money tree seeds: a case report of toxic encephalopathy
title_sort food poisoning due to money tree seeds a case report of toxic encephalopathy
url http://journals.lww.com/10.1097/EC9.0000000000000119
work_keys_str_mv AT yuezhao foodpoisoningduetomoneytreeseedsacasereportoftoxicencephalopathy
AT xiaojiaoquan foodpoisoningduetomoneytreeseedsacasereportoftoxicencephalopathy
AT taowang foodpoisoningduetomoneytreeseedsacasereportoftoxicencephalopathy