Mad Honey Poisoning-Related Hypothermia: A Case Series

J Emerg Med. 2016 Jan;50(1):51-4. doi: 10.1016/j.jemermed.2015.08.009. Epub 2015 Oct 4.

Abstract

Background: Mad honey-related intoxication frequently leads to bradycardia, hypotension, and syncope. Hypothermia is a potentially life-threatening condition if not identified early and treated appropriately.

Case report: Three patients are reviewed. Patient 1 was a 66-year-old man who presented to the emergency department with nausea, vomiting, and faintness beginning 2 h after consuming honey. His temperature was 34°C, his blood pressure was 70/40 mm Hg, and his heart rate was 30 beats/min. Patient 2, a 57-year-old man, presented to the emergency department with headache, feeling cold, and faintness beginning 3 h after consuming honey. His temperature was 35°C, his blood pressure was 60/40 mm Hg, and his heart rate was 46 beats/min. Patient 3 was a 79-year-old woman who presented with nausea, vomiting, and headache 2 h after consuming honey. Her temperature was 35°C, her blood pressure was 70/40 mm Hg, and her heart rate was 40 beats/min. All 3 patients were discharged in good condition after appropriate therapy. WHY SHOULD AN EMERGENCY PHYSICIAN BE AWARE OF THIS?: Bradycardia and hypotension are frequently encountered in mad honey intoxication. However, intoxication accompanied by hypothermia has attracted little attention to date.

Keywords: bradycardia; grayanotoxin; hypotension; hypothermia; mad honey.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Female
  • Headache / etiology
  • Honey / poisoning*
  • Humans
  • Hypotension / etiology
  • Hypothermia / etiology*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Nausea / etiology