Toxin

Ricin

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Ricin

  • See Also
  1. Bioterrorism
  • Historical
  1. Used in assassination of Bulgarian exile Georgi Markov
    1. Gun disguised as Umbrella London 1978
    2. Implanted ricin pellet in his body
  • Pathophysiology
  1. Mechanism
    1. Ricin is a Protein toxin used as Biological Weapon
    2. Derived from castor plant (Ricinus communis)
    3. Small particle aerosol
  2. Transmission
    1. No secondary aerosol risk to healthcare workers
  • Symptoms
  1. Weakness
  2. Fever
  3. Cough
  4. Dyspnea
  5. Chest tightness
  6. Arthralgia
  7. Gastrointestinal symptoms if ingested
  • Signs
  1. Pulmonary Edema
  2. Hypotension
  3. Vascular collapse
  4. Shock
  5. Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation (DIC)
  6. Multiple organ failure
  1. Bilateral infiltrates on Chest Radiographs
  2. Pulmonary Edema
  • Labs
  1. Complete Blood Count
    1. Neutrophilic Leukocytosis
  • Differential Diagnosis
  1. Staphylococcal Enterotoxin B (SEB)
  2. Q Fever
  3. Tularemia
  4. Plague
  5. Phosgene (Chemical Toxin)
  • Course
  1. Pathologic changes seen as early as 8 hours
  2. Symptom onset 18-24 hours after inhalation
  3. Severe respiratory distress and failure in 36-72 hours
  • Management
  1. Supportive for Pulmonary Edema
  2. Gastric Decontamination for ingestion
  • Prevention
  1. No Vaccine or antitoxin available