Gloriosa Superba Poisoning Mimicking an Acute Infection: A Case Report

September 2015 in “ BMC pharmacology & toxicology ”

R. Premaratna, Mindu S. Weerasinghe, Nuwan. P. Premawardana, H Janaka de Silva

Gloriosa superba colchicine total alopecia pancytopenia hair loss

TLDR Gloriosa superba poisoning can mimic severe tropical infections and cause rapid hair loss.

A 26-year-old male exhibited symptoms resembling severe tropical infections, but his condition deteriorated with pancytopenia and total alopecia by day 14, leading to the diagnosis of Gloriosa superba poisoning, confirmed as self-harm. GSb poisoning, due to toxic alkaloids like colchicine, can cause severe multi-organ toxicity and rapid hair loss, and should be considered by clinicians in tropical regions for similar unexplained cases.

View this study on bmcpharmacoltoxicol.biomedcentral.com →

Discuss this study in the Community →

Similar Research

5 / 13 results

research Albendazole-Induced Anagen Effluvium: A Brief Literature Review and Our Own Experience

2 citations, January 2020 in “Acta dermatovenerologica Alpina, Pannonica et Adriatica (Tiskana izd.)”

The drug Albendazole, used for treating parasites, can cause sudden hair loss.

research Alopecia and Associated Toxic Agents: A Systematic Review

26 citations, January 2018 in “Skin appendage disorders”

Thallium, mercury, selenium, and colchicine strongly cause hair loss.

research Role and Mechanisms of Phytochemicals in Hair Growth and Health

2 citations, January 2023 in “Pharmaceuticals”

Natural products and phytochemicals may help with hair regrowth, but more research is needed.

Atrophic Telogen Effluvium from Cytotoxic Drugs and a Randomized Controlled Trial to Investigate the Possible Protective Effect of Pretreatment with a Topical Vitamin D3 Analogue in Humans

research Atrophic Telogen Effluvium from Cytotoxic Drugs and a Randomized Controlled Trial to Investigate the Possible Protective Effect of Pretreatment with a Topical Vitamin D3 Analogue in Humans

47 citations, July 2005 in “British Journal of Dermatology”

Topical vitamin D3 does not prevent hair loss from chemotherapy.

research Integrating Herbal Components Into Pharmaceutical Formulations for Hair Woes

July 2024 in “Annals of Phytomedicine An International Journal”

Herbal ingredients like aloe vera and hibiscus can help with hair problems like hair loss and dandruff.