VPT 421: Veterinary Toxicology (2+0)

ABRUS PRECATORIUS

• Seeds of this plant contain abrin, which is a phytoroxin.
• Spikes containing crushed seeds when implanted into the muscle causes toxicity.
• The animal dies in 2 to 4 days.
• Symptoms include salivation, stiffness, incoordination, muscular spasm, convulsions, extensive painful swelling around the site of implant.
• Whole seeds are not toxic when given by mouth. However, powdered seeds are toxic.
• But the whole seeds are toxic to fowl. They die within a few days. However the toxicity is much less compared to parenteral administration.
• Abrin is neither degraded nor altered by gastric juices.
• It is an important cytotoxin.
• It acts as a proteolytic enzyme and has the highest inhibitory effect on protein synthesis by acting on ribosomes of the cells.
• It is also known to cause agglutination of RBCs.
• Abrin, probably because of its peculiar binding potential is selectively transported by the neurons.
• This type of transport is known as suicidal transport.
• Post mortem changes are congestion of visceral organs and peticheal haemorrhage throughout the body.
• In cattle this poisoning is known as “sui or sutari” poisoning.
• Treatment can be attempted with arecoline.