Curcin Intoxication in Royal Thai Army Privates: A Case Report

Jatropha curcas,commonly known as “Saboo Dum,” is the most common plant poisoning in Thailand. Saboo Dum seeds are used as raw material for biodiesel fuel manufacture, especially in Royal Thai Military units. The seed contains a toxin called curcin which can cause hepatotoxicity in humans.
We reported twenty-eight private soldiers who were brought to the emergency department with gastrointestinal symptoms after having been ingested Saboo Dum. Four patients had mild elevated liver function test (56.25±7.38). In our case series, gastrointestinal symptoms were predominant symptoms (nausea and vomiting 96.4%, diarrhea 78.6% and abdominal pain 50%). All patients discharged from hospital without any complications.
Curcin can cause hepatotoxicity similar to ricin but less potent than ricin which may explain the clinical manifestations in our patients.
As the lack of awareness of Saboo Dum poisoning is the major cause of intoxication, knowledge of this seed may play an important role in the reduced incidence of curcin poisoning.