Pulmonary edema ricin toxicity

Caution Ricin is extremely toxic to cells and acts by inhibiting protein synthesis. After aerosol exposure, signs and symptoms would depend on the dose inhaled. Humans can be expected to develop severe lung inflammation with progressive cough, dyspnea, cyanosis, and pulmonary edema. 

Toxic effects of ricin have latent periods ranging from 2 to 24 h. Symptoms include delayed gastroenteritis, which may be severe and hemorrhagic, followed by delirium, seizures, coma, and death. Toxic effects include intestinal hemorrhage, diffuse nephritis, hepatic necrosis, and on a cellular level pyknosis of the nuclei and karyorrhexis. Patients may experience hypoglycemia, severe dehydration, and shock. Severe exposures may also result in the development of pulmonary edema, respiratory failure, and death within 36-72 h. If death has not occurred in 3-5 days, the victim usually recovers. 

Ricin is more toxic by inhalation than by ingestion. The symptoms from inhaling aerosolized ricin are weakness, fever, cough and pulmonary edema. Such effects may onset after a latent period of 8 hours. Death can result in 36 to 72 hours from severe respiratory distress. The toxin binds... 

As is the case in toxicity and pathogenesis of intoxication, the route of exposure is important in relation to possible modes and their likelihood of success of prophylaxis and therapy. For oral intoxication, supportive therapy includes activated charcoal administration and intravenous fluid and electrolyte replacement. For inhalational intoxication, supportive therapy to counteract acute pulmonary edema and respiratory distress is indicated. Symptomatic care is the only intervention presently available to clinicians for the treatment of incapacitating or lethal doses of inhaled ricin. Positive end-expiratory ventilatory therapy, fluid and electrolyte replacement, antiinflammatory agents, and analgesics... 

---