Related Experiment Videos
Sago haemolysis: clinical features and microbiological studies
Papua and New Guinea Medical Journal
|December 1, 1977
Summary
Ingesting stale sago can cause severe, fatal intravascular hemolysis. Researchers identified bacteria and fungi in suspect sago but the exact cause remains unknown, urging caution with stored sago.
Area of Science:
- Medical Microbiology
- Toxicology
- Public Health
Background:
- Intravascular hemolysis, sometimes fatal, has been linked to consuming 'stale' sago in Papua New Guinea.
- Previous cases were primarily reported from the Maprik area.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report new outbreaks of sago-induced hemolysis in the Western Province.
- To investigate potential etiological agents responsible for sago-related hemolysis.
Main Methods:
- Investigation of two outbreaks involving 14 individuals in the Western Province.
- Isolation and identification of bacteria and fungi from a sago sample.
- Analysis of sago for mycotoxins.
Main Results:
- Two outbreaks in the Western Province involved 14 individuals.
- Bacteria and fungi were isolated from suspect sago, but none are known causes of hemolysis.
- No mycotoxins were detected in the analyzed sago sample.
Conclusions:
- The etiological agent and mechanism of sago-induced hemolysis remain undetermined.
- Consumption of long-stored sago should be discouraged.
- Abnormal tasting sago should not be consumed further and should be discarded or analyzed.