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Urtica ferox neuropathy
Author(s) -
HammondTooke Graeme D.,
Taylor Peter,
Punchihewa Saman,
Beasley Michael
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
muscle and nerve
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.025
H-Index - 145
eISSN - 1097-4598
pISSN - 0148-639X
DOI - 10.1002/mus.20730
Subject(s) - polyneuropathy , medicine , neurotoxin , motor nerve , nerve conduction , compound muscle action potential , dermatology , anatomy , surgery , electrophysiology
A 21‐year‐old student developed an acute, symmetrical, predominantly motor polyneuropathy within 48 h of walking through a patch of nettles ( Urtica ferox ). Two companions had similar but less severe symptoms. Nerve conduction studies demonstrated markedly reduced compound muscle action potentials and prolonged distal motor latencies. Recovery occurred over a period of a few weeks. This case demonstrates that cutaneous exposure to Urtica ferox can cause an acute polyneuropathy and that its stinging hairs contain an unidentified neurotoxin. Muscle Nerve, 2007