Learnings from Separate <i>Aconitum</i> Poisonings in British Columbia and Ontario, Canada in 2022.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Three aconitine poisoning events occurred in two Canadian provinces in 2022: one in British Columbia (BC) and two in Ontario (ON). Aconitine is a potent alkaloid found in several species of the plant Aconitum, containing cardiotoxins and neurotoxins. It is used in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for pain management, and in powdered form, Aconitum is similar in appearance to sand ginger (Kaempferia galanga), which can lead to poisonings from misidentification and mislabeling.

Methods

Aconitine poisoning is rare in Canada; here, we compare communications, collaborations, laboratory testing options and actions during investigations.

Results

Fourteen cases occurred from the consumption of sand ginger: in BC (n = 2), purchased at a

SUBMITTER: McIntyre L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11946634 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature