MULTIORGAN INJURY AFTER ACCIDENTAL POISONING WITH AUTUMN CROCUS

Abstract

Background. A case of accidental poisoning with autumn crocus (Colchicum autumnale) that was misinterpreted for wild garlic (Allium ursinum) is presented. Both plants grow on damp meadows and can be easily wrongly identified especially before blooming period as they have similar, pointed leaves.Results. Considering anamnestic data, clinical picture and laboratory findings in 43-yr-old female, a poisoning with the colchicine plant alkaloid was suspected. Later, it was confirmed by toxicology analyses (chromatography and spectrometry) of the collected serum and urine samples. Severe initial gastrointestinal disorders progressed into ileus, bone-marrow suppression and multi-organ failure.Conclusions. After the patient had received a symptomatic treatment with granulocyte-directed growth factor and a suitable antibiotic therapy for secondary infection, she recovered within three weeks from the onset of condition. The most persistent problem was alopecia. The disease did not entailed any permanent sequellae which was confirmed 3 years after the patient was considered cured.

Keywords

• autumn crocus
• wild garlic
• colchicin poisoning
• multiorgan injury