Ricin intentional

Possible routes of exposure include cutaneous, mucosal, gastrointestinal, inhalation, and parenteral (intravenous or intramuscular). Gastrointestinal exposures are usually accidental and occur most commonly when castor (ricin) or jequirty (abrin) beans are chewed or swallowed. Cutaneous exposures are limited primarily to castor beans, which are unusually allergenic and may cause severe cutaneous hypersensitivity and systemic allergic reactions. Inhalation and parenteral exposures are generally limited to intentional, usually malicious, exposures. 

Whole castor seeds contain oil, phytochemicals, and other potentially purging components that may induce protective vomiting or otherwise reduce Gl absorption of ricin in humans. One must recognize, therefore, that the highly successful clinical outcome of treating accidental or intentional cases of oral poisoning with castor seeds may not accurately predict the human morbidity or mortality associated with consumption of pure or stabilized ricin. 

The human fatal dose of abrin via parenteral routes has been estimated to be approximately 0.1-1 JLg/kg based on case reports of accidental or intentional ingestion. No serious toxic effects were observed in terminal cancer patients treated with as much as approximately 0.3 p,g/kg (i.v.) abrin (Dickers et al., 2003). As with ricin, however, most documented cases of abrin poisoning in humans have involved chewing or swallowing A. precatorius (jequirity) seeds, a route of exposure that is much less dangerous and which predominantly causes GI toxicity (Gunsoulus, 1955 Hart, 1963 Davis, 1978 Fernando, 2001). 

A third case of intramuscular ricin injection involved a 53 year-old male who injected part of 13 chewed castor beans into his thigh with suicidal intent (Passeron et al., 2004). He developed necrotic cellulitis complicated by Enterococcus faecalis infection requiring emergency surgical debridement, but recovered after three months hospitalization. 

Unintentional ricin poisoning is highly unlikely. CDC has no reports of intentional ricin poisoning. If people think they might have been exposed to ricin, however, they should contact the regional poison control center at 1 800-222-1222. 

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