Investigator(s)
| Submitter |
Sonam Dhendup Ministry Of Health, Royal Government of Bhutan Sonam Dhendup 
|
| Principal Investigator |
Sonam Dhendup Ministry Of Health, Royal Government of Bhutan Sonam Dhendup
|
| Co-Investigator(s) |
Ugyen Chophel Ministry Of Health, Royal Government of Bhutan Ugyen Chophel
|
| Co-Investigator(s) |
Sangay Dorji Ministry Of Health, Royal Government of Bhutan Sangay Dorji
|
| Co-Investigator(s) |
Thinley Pelden Ministry Of Health, Royal Government of Bhutan Thinley Pelden
|
| Co-Investigator(s) |
Thinley Dorji Ministry Of Health, Royal Government of Bhutan Thinley Dorji
|
Title(s) and abstract
| Scientific title | Unintentional poisoning with Ricin: case series of castor bean causing gastroenteritis like symptoms |
| Public title | Castor bean poisoning |
| Background | Poisoning cases are frequently encountered in the emergency department which can lead to morbidity and mortality in the absence of immediate medical care. If identified early, hospital stays due to morbidity and death can be prevented. Unintentional poisoning caused 84,278 deaths worldwide and the loss of five million disability-adjusted life years in 2019(1). Mortality due to accidental poisoning occurs in the lower and middle income countries which is more than 90%, with more deaths in children. Due to the unavailability of robust poisoning information systems in many developing countries, the burden of unintentional poisoning can be higher than reported(2). In India, plant poisoning was the second most common poisoning after pesticides. Poisonous plants like castor, calotropis, croton, aconite, datura, papaya, cassava, and areca nut are found in India(3). Given the similar geographical location of Bhutan, it is plausible that these poisonous plants may be seen in Bhutan. Poisoning cases are commonly encountered in hospitals across Bhutan, with plant poisoning being a significant contributor. Poisoning cases reported in Bhutan were 249 involving a variety of agents(1). Bhutan is home to over 5603 recorded higher plant species and most of them are believed to have medicinal properties(4). People take advantage of the medicinal values and consume beyond the toxicity amount, resulting in hospital admission due to unintentional toxicity/poisoning like aconite and rhododendron poisoning cases in recent years(1). Ricinus comminis is known as Chamlingshing in Sharchop and Chamelaseng in Kheng. It grows at an altitude of 200-1700m and is seen in Chukha, Punakha, Wangdue Phodrang, Trongsa, and Zhemgang district.In the Traditional medicine of Bhutan, the seed of the castor |
| Objectives | Public and clinician awareness |
| Study Methods | Case series |
| Expected outcomes and use of results | Publication and creating awareness among clinicians and public. |
| Keywords | Bhutan; Castor seeds; Pant poisoning; Ricin; Ricinus communins; Gastroenteritis; Dehydration |
Research Details
| Student research | No |
| Start Date | 01-Mar-2025 |
| End Date | 31-May-2025 |
| Key Implementing Institution | Ministry of Health |
| Multi-country research | No |
| Nationwide research | No |
| Bhutan | |
| Research Domain(s) | Non-communicable diseases & Healthy Lifestyles |
| Research field(s) | Accidents and Injuries |
| Involves human subjects | Yes |
| Other (CASE SERIES) | |
| Data Collection | Primary data |
| Proposal reviewed by other Committee | No |