Abrus precatorius induced hemorrhagic colitis

Abstract

Abrus Precatorius commonly known as Rosary bead or Kundumani (Arena, 1986) is an irritant poison affecting almost all major systems of the body with more damage to the gastrointestinal system. The mortality rate is 10 to 15% for a lethal dose of just 1-2 crushed seeds. Following is the case report of hemorrhagic colitis due to the ingestion of a toxic dose of ABRUS seeds (Reedman et al., 2008). Sigmoidoscopy was done to document the hemorrhagic colitis. Client was treated as severe colitis with intra venous antibiotics, intravenous steroids; Oral Mesalamine, Intra venous Pantaprazole and IV fluids. Despite consuming a large amount of the toxin, our client survived.