Poisoning by Datura leaves used as edible wild vegetables

The causes of Datura intoxication include medication overdose, misuse of ed ible vegetables, deliberate abuse as a hallucinogen, homicidal or robbery a nd accidental intoxication from contaminated food. We report an incident of 14 people with Datura intoxication caused by ingesting wild Datura suaveol ans for food. The incubation period was 15 to 30 min. The symptoms/signs we re dizziness, dry mouth, flushed skin, palpitation, nausea, drowsiness, tac hycardia, blurred vision, mydriasis, hyperthermia, disorientation, vomiting , agitation, delirium, urine retention, hypertension and coma. Three patien ts were hospitalized for 2-3 days. Thirteen persons received supportive flu id therapy. One patient did not receive medical therapy, he induced vomitin g and drank a lot of water. Four patients presented with deliurim/coma and 3 received physostigmine therapy with good response. One patient was intuba ted because of coma and respiratory depression. Three persons needed Foley catheterization for urine retention or coma status. One patient had a compl ication of urinary tract infection and antibiotic management. All patients recovered with no sequelae.