Ricin

Aka: Ricin

II. Historical

  1. Used in assassination of Bulgarian exile Georgi Markov
    1. Gun disguised as Umbrella London 1978
    2. Implanted ricin pellet in his body

III. 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

IV. Symptoms

  1. Weakness
  2. Fever
  3. Cough
  4. Dyspnea
  5. Chest tightness
  6. Arthralgia
  7. Gastrointestinal symptoms if ingested

V. Signs

  1. Pulmonary Edema
  2. Hypotension
  3. Vascular collapse
  4. Shock
  5. Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation (DIC)
  6. Multiple organ failure

VI. Radiology: Chest XRay

  1. Bilateral infiltrates on chest radiographs
  2. Pulmonary Edema

VII. Labs

  1. Complete Blood Count
    1. Neutrophilic Leukocytosis

VIII. Differential Diagnosis

  1. Staphylococcal Enterotoxin B (SEB)
  2. Q Fever
  3. Tularemia
  4. Plague
  5. Phosgene (Chemical Toxin)

IX. 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

X. Management

  1. Supportive for Pulmonary Edema
  2. Gastric Decontamination for ingestion

XI. Prevention

  1. No Vaccine or antitoxin available

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Related Studies

Ontology: Ricin (C0035569)

Definition (NCI) A highly toxic protein phytotoxin lectin and hemagglutin from the seeds of Ricinus communis, the castor oil plant. It agglutinates cells, is proteolytic, and causes lethal inflammation and hemorrhage if taken internally. It has N-glycosidase activity that cleaves 28S rRNA, halting protein synthesis; extreme cytotoxicity makes ricin an attractive candidate for artificial fusion with binding proteins to create cell-type-specific toxins.
Definition (MSH) A protein phytotoxin from the seeds of Ricinus communis, the castor oil plant. It agglutinates cells, is proteolytic, and causes lethal inflammation and hemorrhage if taken internally.
Definition (CSP) proteinaceous phytotoxin from the castor oil plant, Ricinus communis; A chain has glycosidase activity which cleaves 28S rRNA, halting protein synthesis; extreme cytotoxicity makes ricin an attractive candidate for artificial fusion with binding proteins to create cell-type-specific toxins.
Concepts Hazardous or Poisonous Substance (T131) , Amino Acid, Peptide, or Protein (T116)
MSH D012276
SnomedCT 30096004
LNC LP33246-7, LP35837-1, MTHU016499, MTHU018738
English Castor Bean Lectin, Lectin, Castor Bean, Lectin, Ricinus, Ricinus Lectin, Ricinus Toxin, Toxin, Ricinus, Ricins, RCA 60, RCA60, Ricin [Chemical/Ingredient], ricin, Ricin, Ricin toxin, RICIN, Ricin (substance), Ricinus Communis Agglutinin II
Swedish Ricin
Czech ricin
Finnish Risiini
Italian Ricino tossina, RCA 60, Lectina del seme di ricino, RCA60, Ricina, Lectina del ricinus, Lectina della ricina
Russian LEKTIN, RICINUS, RITSIN, KLESHCHEVINY OBYKNOVENNOI LEKTIN, LEKTIN KLESHCHEVINY, LEKTIN KLESHCHEVINY OBYKNOVENNOI, КЛЕЩЕВИНЫ ОБЫКНОВЕННОЙ ЛЕКТИН, ЛЕКТИН, RICINUS, ЛЕКТИН КЛЕЩЕВИНЫ, ЛЕКТИН КЛЕЩЕВИНЫ ОБЫКНОВЕННОЙ, РИЦИН
Japanese トウゴマレクチン, ひましレクチン, リシン(Ricin), ヒマシレクチン, レクチン-トウゴマ, レクチン-ヒマシ
Polish Rycyna
Spanish Lectina de Ricinus communis, ricino (sustancia), ricino, Lectina de Ricino, Lectina de Semilla de Higuera Infernal, Lectina de Semilla de Ricino, Ricina
Portuguese Lectina de Ricinus communis, Lectina da Semente da Mamona, Lectina da Semente do Rícino, Lectina do Rícino, Ricina
French Ricine
German Kastorlektin, Lektin, Kastor-, Lektin, Rizinus-, Ricin
Derived from the NIH UMLS (Unified Medical Language System)

Related Topics in Poisoning and Toxicology

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