Hong Kong Med J[1], 2013 Aug;19(4):354-6
We report a case of acute poisoning in a 48-year-old man who
presented with chest pain, abdominal pain, dizziness, sweatiness, blurred
vision, and severe hypotension after ingestion of honey. His electrocardiogram
showed sinus bradycardia and transient ST elevation. He made a good recovery
after treatment with atropine and close monitoring.
Grayanotoxin was detected in his urine and the honey he ingested, which confirmed a diagnosis of mad honey poisoning. This is a condition prevalent in the Black Sea region around Turkey but rarely seen locally. Although mad honey poisoning is life-threatening, early use of atropine is life-saving. Such poisoning may present with ST elevation in the electrocardiogram and symptoms mimicking acute myocardial infarction.
It is therefore essential for clinicians to recognise this unusual form of poisoning and avoid the disastrous use of thrombolytic therapy.
References
- ^ Hong Kong Med J (www.hkmj.org)