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Ricin
Aka: Ricin- See Also
- Historical
- Used in assassination of Bulgarian exile Georgi Markov
- Gun disguised as Umbrella London 1978
- Implanted ricin pellet in his body
- Used in assassination of Bulgarian exile Georgi Markov
- Pathophysiology
- Mechanism
- Ricin is a protein toxin used as Biological Weapon
- Derived from castor plant (Ricinus communis)
- Small particle aerosol
- Transmission
- No secondary aerosol risk to healthcare workers
- Mechanism
- Symptoms
- Weakness
- Fever
- Cough
- Dyspnea
- Chest tightness
- Arthralgia
- Gastrointestinal symptoms if ingested
- Signs
- Pulmonary Edema
- Hypotension
- Vascular collapse
- Shock
- Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation (DIC)
- Multiple organ failure
- Radiology: Chest XRay
- Bilateral infiltrates on chest radiographs
- Pulmonary Edema
- Labs
- Differential Diagnosis
- Course
- Pathologic changes seen as early as 8 hours
- Symptom onset 18-24 hours after inhalation
- Severe respiratory distress and failure in 36-72 hours
- Management
- Supportive for Pulmonary Edema
- Gastric Decontamination for ingestion
- Prevention
- No Vaccine or antitoxin available