Ricin

Background

• Found in castor beans from the plant Ricinus communis
  • A residual product of the production of castor oil (if properly prepared, does not contain the toxin)
• Exposure can be parenteral, inhaled, or ingested

Clinical Features

• First symptoms occur 3-12 hours after exposure
• Multi-organ failure occurred with a prominently elevated white blood cell count
• Acute lung injury
  • Pulmonary edema may develop one to 3 days after exposure
    • fever, cough, shortness of breath, and nausea
• Death 36-48 hours after exposure
  • Alveolar flooding, fibropurulent pneumonia, and necrotizing tracheitis

Diagnosis

• Chest x-ray = bilateral infiltrates

References

• Lutwick LI,Gradon J, Zellen J: Category B Biotoxins. In Lutwick LI, Lutwick SM (eds), Beyond Anthrax: Bioterror - The Weaponization of Infectious Diseases. Springer-Humana, New York, 2009, New York, pp. 181-206: