Life-threatening episode after ingestion of toad eggs: a case report with literature review

Abstract

It is known that the toad possesses several toxic substances in the skin and parotid glands. In the past, toad-venom poisoning has been reported from ingestion of toad soup, Kyushin and aphrodisiac pills, but poisoning from toad eggs is observed for the first time. The case of a healthy female who had previously eaten toad soup twice without any discomfort is reported. She developed gastrointestinal symptoms and life-threatening cardiac rhythm after ingestion of toad eggs. A transvenous temporary pacemaker was used promptly to prevent from lethal bradyarrhythmia. Hyperkalaemia was managed with insulin, glucose water and sodium bicarbonate. A digoxin-specific Fab fragment was administered to this young woman 4 h subsequent to her admission.

Poisoning by toxic animals in China—18 autopsy case studies and a comprehensive literature review

“…The ingestion of a whole, raw fish gallbladder to cure eye diseases is mentioned in folklore; this practice often causes gallbladder poisoning, such as what happened in case 2 with the ingestion of herring bile. Anecdotally, the consumption of venenum bufonis soup is believed to remove toxins and internal heat; this practice can lead to accidental poisoning [27], as observed in cases 15-18 in which four children who consumed venenum bufonis soup died by poisoning. Fourth, suicide or homicide cases caused by toxic animals are relatively rare.…”

Problems and Paradoxes of Animal Toxins and the Heart

“…92 Toads have a wide geographic distribution across Southeast Asia. The species thrives in anthropogenically modified environments, including cities and agricultural lands, and is frequently encountered by people.…”

Bufadienolide toxicity in a child following cane toad egg ingestion

“…Several toad species are known to contain high levels of cardiac glycosides in their skin, venom glands and eggs. 3,4 One such species is the cane toad (Bufo marinus), an invasive species introduced to Australia that contains bufadienolides. The clinical manifestation of poisoning is gastrointestinal symptoms (nausea, vomiting, abdominal discomfort), hyperkalaemia and cardiac arrhythmias including bradycardia, atrio-ventricular block and ventricular dysrhythmias.…”

“…3 The management of bufadienolide poisoning is largely supportive. 3,4 Activated charcoal should be provided where possible, even at later stages, as cardiac glycosides undergo enterohepatic recirculation. Antiemetics can facilitate this as poisoned patients usually present with profuse vomiting.…”