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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 29, 2026

Rapid High-throughput Species Identification of Botanical Material Using Direct Analysis in Real Time High Resolution Mass Spectrometry

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Published on: October 2, 2016

Unexpected double lethal oleander poisoning.

Luigi Papi¹, Alessandro Bassi Luciani, David Forni

¹Department of Legal Medicine, University of Pisa, Italy, USA. l.papi@med.unipi.it

The American Journal of Forensic Medicine and Pathology

|September 20, 2011

Summary

Accidental oleander poisoning is rare but deadly. This case highlights how vegans foraging in nature may unknowingly ingest toxic plants, leading to fatal cardiac issues mistaken for other causes.

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Area of Science:

Forensic Toxicology
Plant Toxicology
Cardiology

Background:

Nerium oleander is a common ornamental plant containing cardiac glycosides.
Oleander poisoning is rare, often overlooked in medicolegal investigations.
Accidental ingestion can cause severe cardiac arrhythmias and death.

Observation:

Two bodies were discovered in a state of severe malnutrition with undigested plant matter in their stomachs.
Initial toxicological screenings were negative for common poisons.
Subjects were identified years later as vegans who foraged for food.

Findings:

Advanced toxicological analysis revealed digoxin in the blood of both individuals.
The digoxin was determined to be of non-pharmaceutical origin.
Oleandrin from Nerium oleander ingestion was confirmed via cross-reactivity with digoxin assays.

Implications:

This case underscores the potential for fatal oleander poisoning in individuals consuming wild-foraged foods.
Medicolegal death investigations require comprehensive toxicological screening for plant-based toxins.
Increased awareness is crucial for populations with diets relying on natural foraging.