Letters to the Editor Poisoning by Plants by Dr. med. Sebastian Wendt, DTM, B.A.; Prof. Dr. med. Christoph Lübbert, DTM&H; Dipl.-Pharm. Kathrin Begemann; Dr. rer. nat. Dagmar Prasa; and PD Dr. rer. nat. Heike Franke in issue 18/2022

In Reply

We thank Haufs for his additional comments on further toxicologically relevant native fruits and vegetables. When preparing our review article (1) we came across exactly the same examples but were not able to include these because of methodological considerations (combination of actual epidemiological relevance based on notification data from the poisons information unit in Erfurt and an assessment of high risk [risk category 2, 3] by the German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment). In pursuing our methodological approach, we were surprised that certain classics from toxicology handbooks (for example, unripe potatoes, raw green beans) seemed to be barely relevant at the population level in Germany—except for individual cases and anecdotal evidence.

The risks to the population from potentially poisonous green plants should therefore not be considered in isolation just on the basis of plant ingredients (hazard identification). In order to assess risks realistically and be able to establish preventive measures, the actual risk of poisoning needs to be assessed while considering valid exposure data (risk assessment).

DOI: 10.3238/arztebl.m2022.0273

On behalf of the authors
Dr. med. Sebastian Wendt, DTM, B.A.
Medizinische Klinik II
Bereich Infektiologie und Tropenmedizin
Universitätsklinikum Leipzig

Conflict of interest statement

The authors of both contributions declare that no conflict of interest exists.

References

1. Wendt S, Lübbert C, Begemann K, Prasa D, Franke H: Poisoning by plants. Dtsch Arztebl Int 2022; 119: 317–24