2023, Number 1
Kambo frog poisoning in Mexico
San-Juan D, Martínez-Piña DA
Full text
Language: Spanish
References: 5
Page: 34-36
PDF size: 227.89 Kb.
ABSTRACT
Introduction: Kambo is the skin secretion of the toxic Brazilian frog Phyllomedusa bicolor, and its inoculation to human skin is globally practiced, especially in South America, out of interest or to cure multiple diseases. Objective: A case report of poisoning with Kambo frog poison during a ritual. Results: 41-year-old male, marijuana user, who reported a last consumption three months ago, and used Kambo for generalized anxiety disorder with panic attacks and claustrophobia. The patient suffered complications, including neuropathy, that we associate to the toxic effect of Kambo, and received oral prednisone, diphenidol and paroxetine as treatment, showing improvement. Discussión: The substances that could be related to neuropathy are tachykinin, mediated through B receptors that participate in mechanisms linked to pain, dermorphins and deltorphins, as well as Mu opioid agonists, that act on Mu and Delta receptors of the central nervous system involved in analgesic effects. Two phases have been described in Kambo intoxication: the first phase, that lasts usually 15-30 minutes, and the second phase, which includes persistent acute symptoms, syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion, acute toxic hepatitis, and dermatomyositis. Conclusion: Clinicians need to be aware of the complications of this shamanic ritual expanding worldwide.REFERENCES
Majić T, Sauter M, Bermpohl F, Schmidt TT. Connected to the spirit of the frog: An Internet-based survey on Kambô, the secretion ofthe Amazonian Giant Maki Frog (Phyllomedusa bicolor): Motivations for use, settings and subjective experiences. J Psychopharmacol. 2021;35(4):421–36. doi: 10.1177/0269881121991554