Human Datura and Brugmansia Poisoning: A Focused Narrative Review of Selected Reports With at Least 10 Cases or Exposures

Badiee Aval, Shapour; Azarafraz, Mahdi; Farahmand, Seyyed Kazem

doi:10.22038/apjmt.2026.98440.1568

Human Datura and Brugmansia Poisoning: A Focused Narrative Review of Selected Reports With at Least 10 Cases or Exposures

Document Type : Review Article

Authors

Shapour Badiee Aval

Mahdi Azarafraz

Seyyed Kazem Farahmand

Department of Complementary and Chinese Medicine, School of Persian and Complementary Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran

10.22038/apjmt.2026.98440.1568

Abstract

Background: Differences in case definitions, denominators, attribution and accessible outcome data hinder comparison of larger Datura and Brugmansia reports.
Objective: To map exposure settings, clinical themes, high-acuity features, outcomes and source-level limitations in selected larger human reports.
Methods: This focused, non-exhaustive narrative review included human reports with at least 10 cases/exposures published through 31 July 2026, without a lower date limit. PubMed-indexed, Scopus/CNKI bibliographic, publisher, public-health and multilingual records informed selection. Nonhuman reports and sources lacking verifiable primary data were excluded. One reviewer extracted data and a second checked them; revision checks were targeted rather than comprehensive.
Results: Forty-two reports comprised 13 outbreak/public-health, 11 poison-center and 18 hospital/clinical sources, spanning 1885-2026 and 19 countries/regions. Exact stated counts ranged from 10 to 688; one provisional count exceeded 190. Attribution was analytical/botanical in eight, official in one, mixed in one, clinical/epidemiological in 29 and contextual/uncertain in three. Acute outcomes were reported for the full clinical denominator in 14 reports, partial/ongoing in three, ambiguous in three and not evaluable from available material in 22. Recurrent findings included delirium, mydriasis and tachycardia; high-acuity events included seizures, coma, respiratory compromise, intensive care and death. Six reports attributed 21 deaths to Datura. Four historical fatal outcomes with uncertain direct attribution and two honey-associated heatstroke deaths remained separate.
Conclusion: Selected reports document diverse exposures and severe events. Compatible exposure histories and shared-food clusters warrant assessment. Standardized reporting and linked poisoning registries could improve comparability; source counts do not establish independent cohorts or pooled event rates.

Keywords

Datura

Plant Poisoning

Atropine

Scopolamine

Solanaceae

Subjects

Medical Toxicology

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