The syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion after giant leaf frog (Phyllomedusa bicolor) venom exposure.

Summary

A 44-year-old woman in Slovenia developed severe hyponatremia (116 mmol/L) and plasma hypoosmolality (251 mOsm/kg) after participating in a Kambô ritual that involved applying dried skin secretion from the giant leaf frog (Phyllomedusa bicolor) to five fresh burns on her shoulder, followed by drinking 6 liters of water. Laboratory findings showed inappropriately elevated urine osmolality (523 mOsm/kg) and high urine sodium (87 mmol/L), indicating syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion (SIADH). She experienced nausea, vomiting, confusion, lethargy, muscle weakness, spasms, cramps, seizure, decreased consciousness, and short-term memory loss. Treatment with 0.9% sodium chloride and water restriction improved plasma osmolality and sodium within one day, but symptoms resolved only after three days.

Study at a glance

Abstract

In Europe body purification and natural balance restoring rituals are becoming increasingly popular, but an introduction of Amazonian shamanic rituals in urban Europe can result in unexpected adverse events. A 44-year-old woman attended a Kambô or Sapo ritual in Slovenia where dried skin secretion from a giant leaf frog (Phyllomedusa bicolor) was applied to five freshly burned wounds at her shoulder. Afterwards, she drank 6 litres of water and gradually developed nausea and vomiting, confusion, lethargy, muscle weakness, spasms and cramps, seizure, decreased consciousness level and short-term memory loss. The initial laboratory tests showed profound plasma hypoosmolality (251 mOsm/kg) proportional to hyponatremia (116 mmol/L) combined with inappropriately elevated urine osmolality (523 mOsm/kg) and high urine sodium concentration (87 mmol/L) indicating a syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion. The patient was treated with 0.9% sodium chloride and a restriction of water intake. Plasma osmolality and hyponatremia improved one day after venom exposure, but the symptoms disappeared as late as the third day. In patients presenting with neurological symptoms and a line of small body burns Phyllomedusa bicolor venom exposure should be suspected. Acute symptomatic hyponatremia after Phyllomedusa bicolor venom exposure is the result of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion that can be exacerbated by excessive water intake.