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Abrus precatorius: Rosary Pea
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Family
Fabaceae (Leguminosae)
Common Names
Rosary or prayer pea, crab's eye, black-eyed Susan, coral bead plant, gidee-gidee, Indian bead guinea pea, jequirity bean, love pea, lucky bean, jumbee beads, peonia, pukiawe-lei, Seminole bead, wild licorice, or licorice vine.
Plant Description
Originating in India, Abrus has become widely distributed in tropical areas including Florida, Carribean, and the Hawaii islands. It is a woody, perennial, slender vine, that grows over other vegetation. The leaves are pinnately compound, with 8 - 15 pairs of leaflets. The lavender-pink to pale red pea-like flowers are produced as racemes from leaf axils. The leguminous pods are flat, pubescent, beaked, and when ripe, unfurl to reveal the characteristic attractive scarlet red peas with a black end (Fig. 1 and Fig. 2).
Figure 1. Abrus seeds.
Figure 2. Abrus vine and seed pod.
Toxic Principle and Mechanism of Action
Only the seeds of the rosary pea are toxic as they contain potent lectins (toxalbumins) called abrin I and II that are toxic to all animals including humans.
Abrin is very similar to ricin, the lectin found in castor beans, and consists of 2 polypeptide chains (A and B), cross-linked by a disulfide bond that is a potent ribosomal inhibitor [1,2]. The B chain binds to carbohydrate receptors on cell surfaces, facilitating the entry of the A chain into the cell where it inhibits initiation and elongation of peptides within ribosomes. Rapidly growing and dividing cells such as those of the intestines are most severely affected. The lethal dose (LD50) of abrin is in the range of 0.1 - 0.2 micrograms/kg body weight [2]. Each gram of seed contains approximately 0.5 mg of abrin [2].
Risk Assessment
Most poisoning by Abrus precatorius is reported in children who eat the attractive peas [4]. However, all animals including dogs, poultry and other birds, horses, pigs, and ruminants are susceptible if the hard seeds are well chewed before being swallowed [5]. Intact seeds when swallowed pass through the digestive system without exposing the animal to the lectins contained within the seed. The greatest risk to animals are the seeds which are often collected and brought into the household and become accessible to cats, dogs, and caged birds.
Clinical Signs
Abdominal pain, bloat, and hemorrhagic diarrhea develop up to a day after the ingestion of a toxic dose of abrin. Excessive salivation, vomiting, and diarrhea can lead to severe dehydration, hypovolemic shock, and death.
Post mortem examination frequently will show reddening, hemorrhages and ulceration of the gastrointestinal tract. Other organs may show similar gross lesions. Histologically there is hepatic and renal degeneration, vascular congestion, hemorrhaging, and ulceration of the mucosal surfaces.
Treatment
Aggressive intravenous fluid and electrolyte therapy may be necessary to counteract severe dehydration. Activated charcoal orally is indicated to reduce further absorption of abrin from the digestive tract.
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About
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Affiliation of the authors at the time of publication
Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA.
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