Ackee Fruit Poisoning in Eight Siblings: Implications for Public Health Awareness

Am J Trop Med Hyg. 2015 Nov;93(5):1122-3. doi: 10.4269/ajtmh.15-0348. Epub 2015 Aug 31.

Abstract

Ackee apple fruit is a native fruit to Jamaica and some parts of west Africa. Its toxicity known as "Jamaican vomiting sickness" dates back to the nineteenth century. However, there is a dearth of reported published data on toxicity from Nigeria where it is popularly known in the southwest as "ishin." We report a case series of eight previously well Nigerian siblings who presented at various intervals after ingestion of roasted seeds and aril of the ackee fruit.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Blighia / adverse effects*
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Female
  • Fruit / adverse effects*
  • Humans
  • Nigeria
  • Plant Poisoning / diagnosis*
  • Public Health
  • Seeds / adverse effects*
  • Seeds / toxicity
  • Siblings

Supplementary concepts

  • Jamaican vomiting sickness