Ergotism is the intoxication of the human body with alkaloids of the ergot fungus parasitizing on crops. The occurrence of this dangerous ailment occurs due to the consumption of products from wheat, rye and other cereals infected with ergot sclerotia.
What are the symptoms of this disease? What treatment is there? What should be done to avoid infection? The answers to these questions in our article.
History reference
Mention of this disease is found in the early Middle Ages. So, eyewitnesses indicated that in the X century in France, a significant number of people suffered from this ailment. In some years, weather conditions and improper agricultural technology contributed to the defeat of crops by a dangerous microorganism in vast areas. Therefore, the defeat of people was massive, more than once epidemics broke out.
The disease was called the "holy fire" or "the fire of St. Anthony." Symptoms of ergotism at that time were known to many. Russian sources called the disease "evil cramps." The last major epidemic in our country was recorded in 1926. Then it was revealed more than 11,000 patients. The term ergotism was fixed for the disease approximately in the 17th century. It comes from the French word ergot (horns).
The main reason for the occurrence of ergotism and the spread of the disease was that in the Middle Ages, crop care, weed and pest control were irresponsible. In addition, low temperatures and significant humidity also led to profuse infection with ergot crops. Bread in those days was the main product on the table of Europeans.
Those who suffered from ergotism considered Saint Anthony as their patron, because mainly the monks of the Order of the Antonites were engaged in their treatment. Moreover, it was the monks who were actually the only ones who accumulated significant reserves of high-quality grain, preventing epidemics.
One of the factors that ergotism was no longer considered a mass disease was the introduction of potatoes into the diet of Europeans. This has led to a decrease in the consumption of cereals (bread). Another factor that influenced the cessation of epidemics was the fact that farming techniques began to improve.
Now ergot is practically not found in crops.
The causative agent of ergotism
Ergot is a pathogenic fungus (mycelium). Another name is uterine horns. The objects of their defeat are cereals, among which are barley, rye, wheat, oats, on the grains of which they multiply. Ergot fungi spread through the wind, while falling into the ovary of grains. There they begin to sprout, damaging the culture.
During the ripening of cereals on the ears, horns (sclerotia) of black-violet color are formed.
Ergot sclerotia have an elongated body consisting of filaments of mycelium. The dormancy stage of fungi is determined, their preparation for existence in adverse conditions. They hibernate in the soil. In spring, a new mushroom mycelium grows.
Ergot is predominantly distributed in areas where a cold and humid climate prevails. At the same time, it can affect not only cultivated plants, but also wild herbs. This leads to livestock poisoning.
Ergotismally ill domestic animals experience similar human suffering. So horses are convulsed, paresis, paralysis. There is weak breathing, low working capacity. The skin is affected by necrosis.
Cattle lose coordination. Muscle tremors are noted. The pupils are dilated.
Signs of ergotism in pigs are characterized by lesions of the gastrointestinal tract, seizures and necrotic lesions of the extremities.
Ergot in its composition has a variety of alkaloids, such as histamine, ergotamine, ergotoxin, ergometrine, tyramine. Some of them have found application in medicine.
Ergot myceliums tolerate elevated temperatures well, as a result of which they retain their detrimental properties in bakery products.
Types of Ergotism
There are three types of ergotism. These are: acute course of the disease, subacute and chronic.
The acute develops rapidly. Its outcome is unfavorable, even fatal. The incubation period is a short period (up to a day). The patient experiences intense diarrhea. There is nausea, vomiting. Convulsions accompany the whole body. The skin responds with a tingling sensation. The person is annoyed for any reason, experiencing anxiety. Hallucinations attend him.
Somewhat different symptoms with subacute ergotism. This is excessive sweating, pain in the head, weakness, apathy, a feeling of "goosebumps" on the skin.
The disease can begin to develop in two forms - convulsive and gangrenous.
The chronic form of the disease leads to a violation of the blood circulation in the internal organs. The patient feels problems with the digestive process. There are unpleasant painful symptoms in the stomach. The sensitivity of the body is impaired. In muscle tissue, pain occurs. The person is accompanied by apathy, weakness. In women, menstrual irregularities are observed.
In case of detection of the above signs, a person should immediately contact a medical institution. Self-medication of ergotism is unacceptable.
First aid
Prior to the arrival of physicians, first aid is required to the patient, aimed at preventing the spread of toxins throughout the body. The following must be completed:
- carry out gastric lavage for the patient, use up to 2 l of pure water;
- after washing, give the victim a sorbent in order to accelerate the removal of toxins from the body;
- in the presence of vomiting, to monitor the patient to prevent choking of vomit;
- if the poisoned person has mental abnormalities in behavior, it is necessary to ensure the safety of him and others.
Convulsive form
It is also called convulsive, nervous. A sick person begins dizziness, convulsions appear. These symptoms are accompanied by nausea, vomiting, intestinal problems. In severe cases, impaired consciousness, hallucinations. The victim begins to make various, unsystematic, abrupt movements, similar to dance ones. The disease can last from 3 to 6 weeks.
Gangrenous form
When a person is affected by ergotism of this form, nerve endings are initially affected. There are numbness in various parts of the body, and pain occurs in the limbs. Later, tissue necrosis begins on the fingers and toes, the feet, chest, nose, face are affected.
Serous exudate that accumulates in the upper layers of the epidermis leads to its exfoliation. If at the first stage of this form of ergotism a person is accompanied by pain, then over time the sensitivity of the limbs and skin is lost, numbness occurs.
The development of the gangrenous form of the body can be identified by the following signs:
- the skin becomes earthy;
- human limbs are distinguished by an unusual black tint;
- the epidermis becomes rough and dry, loses sensitivity;
- the shape of the nails is modified.
With the development of the disease, a person loses hair. Bleeding occurs on the surface of the affected skin, and apathy and weakness appear. The development of the gangrenous form of the body occurs within 5-7 days.
Precautions
Ergotism is a serious danger. The disease leads to brain damage, an increased risk of stroke.
Ergot can also be poisoned due to improper intake of drugs prepared on the basis of this mycelium. Long-term administration of medications, which include this fungus or its alkaloids, also negatively affects.
Specialists categorically do not recommend the manufacture of medicines according to the recipes of traditional medicine based on ergot.
Diagnosis, treatment
When a patient enters a medical institution, a series of studies are carried out to make a diagnosis and determine the direction of treatment. Mandatory survey of the patient and his attendants. Particular attention is paid to the symptoms, signs of ergotism. Mycotoxins are also indicated in the patient’s biological fluids.
If it is established that bread products are a possible cause of the disease, they are examined using luminescent and organoleptic methods.
The main therapeutic measures when establishing a disease of ergotism are initially aimed at cleansing the human body of toxins. In addition to washing the stomach and using enemas, other methods are also used:
- in order to suppress alkaloids in the body, the patient is injected with calcium chloride;
- the patient is given tannin preparations that bind poisons in the intestine;
- in order to restore blood supply to the internal organs, appropriate medicines are used;
- prescribe laxatives;
- when determining the presence of pain symptoms, pain medication is used, as well as drugs to get rid of hallucinations.
If the form of ergotism is convulsive, then anticonvulsant and sedative drugs are used for treatment.
With the gangrenous form of the disease, glucocorticosteroids are recommended. In case of significant damage to the limbs, they are amputated.
Consequences, forecasts
Predictions for the disease ergotism is directly dependent on the form and degree. If the disease develops rapidly, then a fatal outcome is also possible. Forms of subacute and chronic usually end in recovery, but with timely treatment.
If a person is sick with a gangrenous form, in the absence of therapeutic measures, the tissues die.
Ergotism Prevention
They are aimed at combating the main pathogen - ergot. Measures to prevent ergotism are as follows:
- grain harvesting should be carried out in a timely manner:
- the harvested crop must be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected;
- sow fields with cereal varieties that have resistance, immunity to ergot;
- carry out activities aimed at weed control.
To date, cases of crop damage have become rare.