- TIME COURSE: Physical findings and signs of abrin exposure can occur after a symptom-free (latent) period of a few hours to several days. Effects following ingestion of abrin are somewhat rapid in the beginning, generally occurring within a few hours of ingestion. Based on inhalation studies of ricin in animals, initial effects (fever, cough, and accumulation of fluid in the lungs [pulmonary edema]) are expected to occur within 18 to 24 hours; respiratory distress and death may occur within 36 to 72 hours.
- EFFECTS OF SHORT-TERM (LESS THAN 8-HOURS) EXPOSURE: Abrin poisons the cells of the body by blocking (inhibiting) the formation (synthesis) of essential components of cells (proteins). Contact of abrin with the skin, eyes, lungs, or the moist lining of body passages and cavities (mucous membranes) can cause severe irritation, inflammation, and internal bleeding (hemorrhage). The health effects caused by abrin depend on the route of exposure and the amount of abrin to which the patient/victim is exposed. Ingestion of abrin produces severe vomiting (emesis) and diarrhea that may result in serious dehydration (hypovolemic shock) and multi-system organ failure affecting the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, kidneys, liver and pancreas; these effects are potentially fatal. In addition to cough and fever, inhalation of abrin may cause fluid accumulation in the lungs (pulmonary edema) and respiratory distress; these effects are potentially fatal. Illness resulting from exposure to abrin cannot be transmitted from person to person (i.e., it is not communicable).
- EYE EXPOSURE:
- Mild to moderate: Tear production (lacrimation); swelling, redness, and inflammation of the membranes (conjunctivitis).
- Severe: Severe tissue destruction, possible bleeding of the membrane in the rear of the eye (retinal hemorrhage), impaired vision, and blindness.
- Contact with the eyes may result in whole-body (systemic) toxicity and possibly death, based on studies of animals exposed to the similar plant toxin ricin.
- INGESTION EXPOSURE:
- Burning pain in the mouth, throat, and esophagus, nausea, difficulty swallowing (dysphagia), vomiting (emesis), vomiting blood (hematemesis), diarrhea, bloody stools (melena), abdominal (epigastric) cramps/pain, severe inflammation of the lining of the stomach and intestine (gastroenteritis), bleeding (hemorrhage) in the stomach and intestines, drowsiness (somnolence), disorientation, weakness, stupor, convulsions, excessive thirst (polydipsia), blood in the urine (hematuria), reduced excretion of urine (oliguria), multi-system organ failure, collapse of the blood vessels (vascular collapse), shock, and death.
- INHALATION EXPOSURE:
- Inhalation may cause irritation or sensitization of the respiratory tract.
- Inhalation of abrin may cause physical findings to appear within a few hours. Those findings include difficulty breathing (respiratory distress), fever, cough, nausea, and tightness in the chest. Heavy sweating, fluid build up, bluish skin (cyanosis), low blood pressure, and respiratory failure may follow and lead to death.
- SKIN EXPOSURE:
- The risk of toxicity from skin exposure to abrin is low.
- Abrin may be absorbed through irritated, damaged, or injured skin or through normal skin if aided by a solvent carrier.
- There is a potential for allergic skin reactions to occur; signs include redness (erythema), blistering (vesication), irritation, and pain.
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