| TOXIN |
COMMENT |
|
1. Heavy metals
Bismuth, cadmium, mercury,
Thallium, arsenic, lead
|
Usually also affect other organs or systems such as
gastrointestinal tract and central nervous system |
|
2. Pesticides
Organomercurials, highly chlorinated naphtalenes
|
Most of these substances are now banned |
|
3. Drugs
Aminoglycosides, tetracyclines, sulfonamides,
polymixins, quinolones, certain cephalosporins
|
History of recent drug use |
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4. Tannins
Industrial tannins
English Oak (Quercus rubor)
|
Used for tanning of hides
Acorns contain gallotannins
|
|
5. Oxalate containing plants
Prickly pear (Opuntia)
Beetroot (Chenopodiaceae)
Spinach (Spinacia)
Rhubarb (Rheum)
Agave
Vygies or mesems (Mesembryanthemum spp.)
Sorrel (Oxalis and Rumex spp.)
Hondepisbossie (Chenopodium)
Cenchrus, Panicum, Setaria grasses
|
Soluble oxalates cause mechanical blockage of tubules
Birefringent crystals under polarised light
|
|
6. Oxalate containing products
Ethylene glycol “antifreeze”
|
Mostly small animals |
|
7. Plants
Anagallis arvensis
(weatherglass, pimpernel)
Amaranthus (pigweed)
Nolletia gariepina
Narthecium, Cestrum
Solanum,Trisetum spp.
|
Western Cape
Namibia and Northern Cape Province including Kalahari
Sandveld
Not recorded in RSA
|
|
8. Mycotoxins
Aspergillus and Penicillium spp. produce
ochratoxins and citrinin
|
Mouldy maize mixtures, mostly in stored grains |
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9. Secondary renal damage
Haemolytic conditions (eg. Babesiosis)
Bilirubinaemia
Lantana camara and L. rugosa hepatogenous
photosensitivity, also facial eczema
|
Haemoglobinuric nephrosis
Cholaemic nephrosis and hepatorenal syndrome
Hepatic lesions with associated nephrosis
|
