Clinical description
Ingestion
of ricin (or abrin, a closely related toxin) typically leads to profuse
vomiting and diarrhea, which may or may not be bloody, followed by hypovolemic
shock and multisystem organ failure. Weakness and influenza-like symptoms
of fever, myalgia, and arthralgia may also be reported.
Laboratory criteria
for diagnosis
- Detection
of ricin or abrin in environmental samples
Case classification
Probable:
a clinically compatible case with a high index of suspicion (reliable intelligence
or patient history) for ricin or abrin exposure or with an epidemiological
link to a laboratory-confirmed case
Confirmed: a clinically compatible case with laboratory confirmation
Note: A case should not be considered ricin or abrin poisoning
if another confirmed diagnosis exists to explain the signs and symptoms.
This case
definition is based on CDC’s best current information.
It may be updated as new information becomes available.
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