TITLE:
Analysis of Mad Honey (Grayanotoksin) Cases Admitted to Duzce University School of Medicine Emergency Department
AUTHORS:
Ahmet Tekinsoy, Seher Orbay Yasli, Ayhan Saritas, Harun Gunes, Ertugrul Kaya, Feruza Turan Sonmez
KEYWORDS:
Grayanotoxin, Mad Honey, Rhododendron
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Emergency Medicine,
Vol.5 No.1,
March
30,
2017
ABSTRACT: Background: Mad honey is the type of honey made by bees that are nourished from the plants of Rhododendron (Rh.) family, and it contains grayanotoksin (GTX). The most significant types of Rh family, which contain GTX, are Rh. The purpose of this study was to analyze the cases which came to the emergency room because of GTX intoxication in detail in order to help diagnosis, treatment, follow-up and prognosis in daily emergency medicine practice. A total of 36 patients with the symptoms and diagnosis of intoxication after consuming mad honey, were included in the study. Ten healthy individuals who did not have a history of taking mad honey were included in the control group. The study is designed as a prospective case control study. The average GTX level of the group who ate mad honey (studygroup) was 7.88 ng/ml (min: 0.00/max: 30.47). At control group, GTX level was 0 ng/ml. There was no statistically significant relationship between the symptoms (dizziness, nausea, vomiting, weakness, deterioration, angina) and blood GTX level in the study group. Also statistic value reflects relationship between kidney function tests, troponin and control troponin levels in case group. The patients who have absolute decrease in blood pressure and pulse should be questioned by emergency medicine doctors about consuming mad honey. Further studies are needed to demonstrate the relationship between symptoms and GTX poisoning.