Abstract:Objective To investigate and analyze the causes and characteristics of a food poisoning event induced by plant saponins in the canteen of a plastic factory so as to provide a basis for preventing and controlling poisoning due to saponins. Methods A food poisoning case questionnaire was used to collect the data concerning poisoning patients in a plastic factory in Shenzhen City. The related information about the poisoning event was collected by means of on-site investigation and telephone interview, and a retrospective cohort study was conducted to ascertain the suspicious meal times and food. Results A total of 28 patients were involved in this saponins poisoning incident, with the attack rate of 28.57% (8/28). They main clinical manifestations were dizziness (100%) and vomiting (87.50%). The attack rate was significantly higher in the employees who had lunch in the canteen on April 10 than in those who did not have (50% vs. 0%, P=0.008, RR=+∞) as well as higher in the employees who ate Dioscorea hispida Dennst and bone soup than in those who did not eat (100% vs. 0%, P<0.001). Toxic saponins were detected in the patient’s vomit, the remaining food(Dioscorea) and food raw material. Conclusions This incident was a food poisoning event due to toxin saponins, and the suspicious food was undercooked Dioscorea hispida Dennst and bone soup at lunch on April 10. The food of Dioscoreaceae contains plant saponins, which needs to be well cooked to avoid causing poisoning.
何林, 谭琼, 叶千琨, 肖海清. 深圳市某塑胶工厂一起由植物皂素导致的食物中毒事件调查[J]. 实用预防医学, 2019, 26(6): 707-709.
HE Lin, TAN Qiong, YE Qian-kun, XIAO Hai-qing. A food poisoning incident caused by plant saponins in a plastic factory in Shenzhen City. , 2019, 26(6): 707-709.