Endemic ascites
Endemic ascites
- Endemic ascites is caused by a hepatotoxin – pyrrolizidine alkaloid found in weed seeds of Crotolaria (Jhunjhunia).
Epidemiology
- Kusmi block of Sarguja district of Madhya Pradesh during the years 1973 and 1976
- There was an outbreak among the tribals.
- Mortality rate was 40%.
How Millet seeds gets contaminated:
- Investigation by the National Institute of Nutrition concluded that this outbreak was due to intake of Millet seeds contaminated with Crotalaria seeds which form their main diet.
- Crotalaria occurred as a weed in areas of millet (Panicum miliare) cultivation.
Pathology:
- Crotalaria seeds contain pyrrolizidine alkaloids which are hepatotoxic.
Clinical features:
- Ascites and jaundice
Prevention
- Preventive measures
- Educating the people
- Deweeding of Jhunjhunia plants which grow along with the staple food-millet.
- Sieving to separate out the Jhunjhunia seeds from millet seeds.
Exam Question
- Endemic ascites is caused by a hepatotoxin – pyrrolizidine alkaloid found in weed seeds of Crotolaria (Jhunjhunia).
- Kusmi block of Sarguja district of Madhya Pradesh during the years 1973 and 1976
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