CERBERA ODOLLAM POISONING: A CASE REPORT

*Bincy Baby, Ann Mariam Varghese, Athira R S, Nirajana Shyam and Shary Ramesh

ABSTRACT

Cerbera odollam also sometimes called Cerbera manghas, belongs to the notoriously poisonous Apocynaceae family. C. odollam produces clinical manifestations by its active principle, a cardiac glycoside “cerberin”. The clinical manifestations of C. odollam include nausea, vomiting, hyperkalemia, thrombocytopenia, ECG abnormalities, syncope, chest pain and palpitations. Management of patient with cerebra odollum is similar to that in patients with digoxin poisoning and includes gastric decontamination, supportive therapy such as administration of atropine followed by temporary pacemaker insertion and antiarrythmic agents. Administration of digoxin immune Fab may be considered in severe cases. Life threatening hyperkalemia is treated by intravenous glucose, insulin, calcium gluconate, sodium bicarbonate, levosalbutamol and oral potassium binding resins.

Keywords: Cerbera odollam, cerberin.