2 Cases of Toad Venom Intoxication

두꺼비독 중독 2례

  • Kwon Cheong-Hoon (Department of Emergency Medicine, Ajou University Hospital) ;
  • Jun Woo-Chan (Department of Emergency Medicine, Ajou University Hospital) ;
  • Jung Yoon-Suk (Department of Emergency Medicine, Ajou University Hospital) ;
  • Ahn Jung-Hwan (Department of Emergency Medicine, Ajou University Hospital)
  • 권정훈 (아주대학교 의과대학 응급의학교실) ;
  • 전우찬 (아주대학교 의과대학 응급의학교실) ;
  • 정윤석 (아주대학교 의과대학 응급의학교실) ;
  • 안정환 (아주대학교 의과대학 응급의학교실)
  • Published : 2006.06.01

Abstract

The venom gland of Toad contains large quantities of cardiac glycosides, and toad venom poisoning is similar to digitalis toxicity and carries a high mortality. Sometimes after ingestion of aphrodisiac pills which contain dried toad, a patient develops gastrointestinal symptoms and bradycardia, psychoneurologic symptoms. We have experienced 2 cases of toad venom intoxication, who ingested asian toads. Patients were presented to our ED with nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. The patients were peformed monitoring and conservative treatment and were fully recovered. Toad venom intoxication should be considered in patients with clinical manifestation of gastrointestinal irritation, cardiac arrhythmias, hyperkalemia, and detectable serum digoxin level without current medication of digoxin.

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