Ergotism “St. Anthony’s Fire

The ergot alkaloids have been associated with a number of spectacular outbreaks of central nervous system disorders, sometimes called ergotism. St. Anthony s fire is an example of convulsive... 

Increased plasma concentrations cause ergot poisoning (ergotism, St Anthony s fire - dementia, florid hallucinations and persistent vasospasm gangrene may develop) and uterine muscle stimulation (it may cause abortion in pregnancy). Ergot alkaloids activates gastrointestinal serotonin receptors and central nervous system emetic centres. 

Ergotism ( St. Anthony s Fire") Disease caused by excess ergot aikaioids ciassicaiiy caused by consumption of grain (in bread, etc) that is contaminated by the ergot fungus... 

The disease takes two different forms depending apparently on whether ergotoxia, the alkaloid ia ergot, attacks predomiaantiy the aervous or the circulatory system. The former coaditioa is characterized by severe coavulsive seizures the latter produces an iatense burning and itching of the skin called St. Anthony s Fire. 

Ergot was known as an obstetrical herb before it was identified as the source of St. Anthony s fire and was mentioned as causing pain in the womb. It was used by midwives long before it was recognized by the medical profession (Goodman and Gilman, 1955). 

St Anthony s Fire Ergotism or toxicity from ingesting ergot alkaloids with cerebrospinal symptoms, spasms, cramps, and gangrene in the extremities. 

Ergot alkaloids Claviceps sp. A. fumigatus P. chermesinum neurotrophy St. Anthony s fire ergotism... 

Ergot Claviceps purpurea Hallucinations, hypertension, tissue ischemia, St. Anthony s fire... 

In field isolates of C. purpurea, the alkaloids are only produced inplanta, in sclerotial tissue. In the past, contamination of cereals with sclerotia has led to severe disease symptoms in humans, known as St. Anthony s fire in the Middle Ages. In modern mills, cereals are mechanically cleaned from seclerotia, which due to a growing number of grain-sized sclerotia gives no complete protection. Contamination of flour with ergot alkaloids is still a problem, and has even increased in the last years, e.g., due to C. purpurea-susceptible new hybrid rye varieties. 

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