Food poisoning due to money tree seeds: a case report of toxic encephalopathy

Abstract

Background: The money tree is a favored indoor potted plant in China. Its seeds resemble chestnuts in both shape and flavor when cooked, which are generally considered non-toxic and safe for consumption.

Case presentation: This report presents the first published case of food poisoning due to the ingestion of large amounts of money tree seeds. A 67-year-old man exhibited toxic encephalopathy symptoms and dyspnea after consuming the seeds for approximately 6 months. After empirical mechanical ventilation, therapeutic plasma exchange, and other medical interventions, the patient’s clinical status improved significantly. He was subsequently discharged from the hospital.

Conclusion: Consuming a substantial quantity of money tree seeds within a limited timeframe can lead to poisoning, resulting in adverse outcomes, particularly toxic encephalopathy. Moreover, plasma exchange may have some therapeutic effect.

Keywords

Case report / Money tree / Pachira macrocarpa / Respiratory failure / Toxic encephalopathy

Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Author contributions

Zhao Y participated in the writing of the paper, Quan X participated in reviewing of the draft, and Wang T participated in project administration and supervision.

Funding

This study was funded by Clinical Medical Center Construction Project of Hainan Province (HNCM202201).

Ethical approval of studies and informed consent

The study followed the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki as revised in 2013. The guidelines of the Ethics Committee of Hainan Hospital of Chinese PLA General Hospital state that the publication of case reports is exempt from ethical approval. Written informed consent was obtained from the 2 patients’ legal representative because they were intubated and sedated. This article has the consent of the patients for the use of their data and for the publication of the data that appear in the article.

Acknowledgments

We would like to appreciate our colleagues in the Department of Emergency Medicine for their contribution to the diagnosis and care of this patient.

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