II. History

  1. Seen in epidemic form since the Middle Ages
  2. Implicated in alleged behavior of Salem witches

III. Causes

  1. Excessive Ergot alkaloid drug intake
    1. Ergotamine
    2. Ergonovine
    3. Methyl-ergonovine (Methergine)
    4. Methysergide (Sansert)
    5. Bromocriptine (Parlodel)
  2. Ergot alkaloid used concurrently with potentiator
    1. Azithromycin
  3. Rye or wheat infected with fungus Claviceps purpurea

V. Signs: Gangrene of poorly vascularized distal structures

  1. Tip of nose
  2. Ears
  3. Fingers
  4. Toes

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Related Studies

Ontology: Ergotism (C0014714)

Definition (MSH) Poisoning caused by ingesting ergotized grain or by the misdirected or excessive use of ergot as a medicine.
Concepts Injury or Poisoning (T037)
MSH D004881
SnomedCT 157705006, 269416009, 51510002
English Ergotism, Ergotisms, St. Anthony Fire, St. Anthony's Fire, St. Anthonys Fire, Poisoning, Ergot, Ergot Poisoning, Ergot Poisonings, Poisonings, Ergot, ERGOTISM, ERGOT POIS, POIS ERGOT, Ergot poisoning, Ergotism [Disease/Finding], st. anthony's fire, anthony fire saint, anthonys fire st, saint anthony's fire, ergot poisoning, st. anthonys fire, anthony's fire st, ergotism, (Berries/plants - toxic effect) or (ergotism) (disorder), (Berries/plants - toxic effect) or (ergotism) (finding), (Berries/plants - toxic effect) or (ergotism), Berry/plant - toxic effect, Berries/plants - toxic effect, Fire, St. Anthonys, Saint Anthony Fire, Saint Anthony's Fire, Saint Anthonys Fire, Ergot causing toxic effect, Ergotism (disorder), St Anthony's fire, fire; St Anthony's, Ergotism, NOS
French ERGOTISME, Intoxication par l'ergot, Intoxication par l'ergot de seigle, Intoxication à l'ergot, Intoxication par ergot de seigle, Ergotisme, Feu de saint Antoine, Mal des ardents
Portuguese ERGOTISMO, Envenenamento por Claviceps, Envenenamento por Ergot, Intoxicação por Claviceps, Intoxicação por Ergot, Ergotismo, Fogo de Santo Antão, Fogo de Santo Antônio
Italian Avvelenamento da segale cornuta, Fuoco di Sant'Antonio, Avvelenamento da ergot, Ergotismo
Dutch ergotisme, vuur; St Antonius, moederkoornvergiftiging, Ergotaminevergiftiging, Ergotisme, Moederkoornvergiftiging, Sint Antoniusvuur, Sint-Antoniusvuur
Swedish Ergotaminförgiftning
Japanese バッカクチュウドク, St.Anthony熱, 麦角中毒, エルゴチン中毒, 聖アントニー熱, 中毒-麦角
Czech ergotismus, Ergotizmus, Otrava námelem
Finnish Torajyvämyrkytys
Russian ERGOTIZM, ЭРГОТИЗМ
Spanish Envenenamiento por Claviceps, Intoxicación por Ergot, Fuego de San Antonio, Fuego de San Anton, Intoxicación por Claviceps, Envenenamiento por Ergot, ergotismo (trastorno), ergotismo, Intoxicación por alcaloides del cornezuelo de centeno, Ergotismo, Fiebre de San Antonio
Polish Zatrucie sporyszem, Ergotyzm
Hungarian Ergotismus, Ergot mérgezés
Norwegian Ergotisme, Ergotaminforgiftning, St. Anthonys Fire, Saint Anthonys Fire, Saint Anthony's Fire, St. Anthony's Fire
German Ergotismus, Mutterkornvergiftung, St.-Antonius-Feuer