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Toad poisoning in Laos.

Sommay Keomany¹, Mayfong Mayxay, Phouthalavanh Souvannasing

¹Wellcome Trust-Mahosot Hospital-Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Collaboration, Mahosot Hospital, Vientiane, Lao PDR.

The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene

|November 7, 2007

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Ingesting toad skin and eggs, likely from Bufo melanostictus Schneider, caused severe illness in two Laotian patients, including one fatality. Despite awareness of toad toxicity, its severity is underestimated, necessitating public health education.

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Area of Science:

Toxicology
Public Health
Cardiology

Background:

Toad poisoning is a potential health concern, particularly in regions where certain toad species are consumed.
Bufo melanostictus Schneider is a common toad species in Southeast Asia.

Observation:

Two patients in southeastern Laos developed severe illness, including fatal outcomes and digoxin toxicity-like syndromes, after consuming toad skin and eggs.
A survey indicated toad poisoning occurs in at least six Laotian provinces.
Villagers showed awareness of toad toxicity, but a significant percentage had encountered poisoned patients, suggesting a lack of appreciation for the severity.

Findings:

Consumption of toad skin and eggs can lead to severe poisoning, mimicking digoxin toxicity with symptoms like bradycardia and heart failure.
Toad poisoning may be significantly underreported in Laos.
A gap exists between awareness of toad toxicity and understanding its potentially fatal consequences.

Implications:

Public health education on the serious risks of toad consumption is crucial in affected regions.
Healthcare providers should consider toad poisoning in patients presenting with unexplained cardiac issues.
Further research into the specific toxins and treatment protocols for Bufo melanostictus poisoning is warranted.