Intestinal pathology following intramuscular ricin poisoning

Leek, M. D.; Griffiths, Gareth; Green, M. A.

doi:10.1002/path.1711590411

Cited by 23 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 21 publications

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“…In 1897, for example, Simon Flexner, describing the histological changes in rabbits and guinea pigs associated with parenteral ricin exposure, noted that “Of all the constituents of the intestinal mucosa, the one that feels the most severe effects of the poison is the epithelium” (Flexner 1897). Epithelial damage is also observed when the toxin is administered perorally or by gavage, although relatively high doses (1–10 mg/kg) of ricin are required to provoke a reproducible response (Leek et al 1989; Mantis et al 2011; Neal et al 2011; Sekine et al 1986; Smallshaw et al 2007; Yoder et al 2007). The respiratory tract is orders of magnitude more sensitive to the effects of ricin, as demonstrated by the fact very low amounts of the toxin (1–10 μg/kg) administered by aerosol results in fulminate mucosal inflammation and epithelial destruction (Benson et al 2011; Brown and White 1997; Lindauer et al 2009; Roy et al 2003, 2011).…”

Section: Mucosal Immunity To Ricinmentioning

confidence: 99%

Immunity to Ricin: Fundamental Insights into Toxin–Antibody Interactions

O’Hara

Yermakova

Mantis

2011

Current Topics in Microbiology and Immunology

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Ricin toxin is an extraordinarily potent inducer of cell death and inflammation. Ricin is also a potent provocateur of the humoral immune system, eliciting a mixture of neutralizing, non-neutralizing and even toxin-enhancing antibodies. The characterization of dozens of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against the toxin's enzymatic (RTA) and binding (RTB) subunits has begun to reveal fundamental insights into the underlying mechanisms by which antibodies neutralize (or fail to neutralize) ricin in systemic and mucosal compartments. This information has had immediate applications in the design, development and evaluation of ricin subunit vaccines and immunotherapeutics.

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Section: Mucosal Immunity To Ricinmentioning

confidence: 99%

Immunity to Ricin: Fundamental Insights into Toxin–Antibody Interactions

O’Hara

Yermakova

Mantis

2011

Current Topics in Microbiology and Immunology

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“…9,51,67,71,72 Lymph nodes, kidneys, and intestines may also demonstrate necrosis, hemorrhage, and edema. 9,[38][39][40][41]69,70,[73][74][75] Inhalation. Toxicokinetics/Toxicodynamics.…”

Section: Cleavage Of a And B Chainsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Ricin Poisoning

Audi¹,

Belson²,

Patel³

et al. 2005

JAMA

566

292

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ROWING AWARENESS AND concern about ricin, a potent biologic toxin, as a possible terrorist weapon has necessitated a comprehensive review of this poison. 1 The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) categorizes ricin as a Category B agent (second-highest priority), as it is moderately easy to disseminate, resulting in low mortality but moderate to high morbidity, and requires specific enhancement of the CDC's diagnostic and disease surveillance capacity. 2 Such agents are not routinely encountered, so heightened awareness in the health care community and a strong public health infrastructure are necessary for detection and response. We therefore have summarized the literature on ricin poisoning and provided recommendations for clinicians and public health professionals dealing with a ricin attack against a civilian population. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION Using PubMed, we searched MEDLINE and OLDMEDLINE databases from January 1950 to August 2005 using the keywords ricin, ricinus communis, ricinine, plant toxins, castor beans, castor dust, and castor oil. Keywords were used alone and with the modifiers toxicity, poisoning, diagnosis, clinical effects, treatment , warfare, chemical terrorism, and weapon. The Chemical and Biological Information Analysis Center (http: //www.cbiac.apgea.army.mil) database was searched for historical and military literature related to ricin tox-CME available online at www.jama.com Context The recent discoveries of ricin, a deadly biologic toxin, at a South Carolina postal facility, a White House mail facility, and a US senator's office has raised concerns among public health officials, physicians, and citizens. Ricin is one of the most potent and lethal substances known, particularly when inhaled. The ease with which the native plant (Ricinus communis) can be obtained and the toxin extracted makes ricin an attractive weapon. Objectives To summarize the literature on ricin poisoning and provide recommendations based on our best professional judgment for clinicians and public health officials that are faced with deliberate release of ricin into the environment. Literature Acquisition Using PubMed, we searched MEDLINE and OLDMEDLINE databases (January 1950-August 2005). The Chemical and Biological Information Analysis Center database was searched for historical and military literature related to ricin toxicity. Book chapters, unpublished reports, monographs, relevant news reports, and Web material were also reviewed to find nonindexed articles. Results Most literature on ricin poisoning involves castor bean ingestion and experimental animal research. Aerosol release of ricin into the environment or adulteration of food and beverages are pathways to exposure likely to be exploited. Symptoms after ingestion (onset within 12 hours) are nonspecific and may include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain and may progress to hypotension, liver failure, renal dysfunction, and death due to multiorgan failure or cardiovascular collapse. Inhalation (onset of symptoms is likely within 8 hou...

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“…Damage to the small intestine was a feature following i.m. poisoning with ricin, with the infiltration of plasma cells and activated macrophages into the lamina propria and apoptotic deletion of these and structural cells in the ileum [31]. …”

Section: Toxicity Of Ricin By Parenteral (Intramuscular) Administrmentioning

confidence: 99%

Understanding Ricin from a Defensive Viewpoint

Griffiths

2011

Toxins

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The toxin ricin has long been understood to have potential for criminal activity and there has been concern that it might be used as a mass-scale weapon on a military basis for at least two decades. Currently, the focus has extended to encompass terrorist activities using ricin to disrupt every day activities on a smaller scale. Whichever scenario is considered, there are features in common which need to be understood; these include the knowledge of the toxicity from ricin poisoning by the likely routes, methods for the detection of ricin in relevant materials and approaches to making an early diagnosis of ricin poisoning, in order to take therapeutic steps to mitigate the toxicity. This article will review the current situation regarding each of these stages in our collective understanding of ricin and how to defend against its use by an aggressor.

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Intestinal pathology following intramuscular ricin poisoning

Cited by 23 publications

References 21 publications

Immunity to Ricin: Fundamental Insights into Toxin–Antibody Interactions

Immunity to Ricin: Fundamental Insights into Toxin–Antibody Interactions

Ricin Poisoning

Understanding Ricin from a Defensive Viewpoint

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