Jamaican Susumber Berry Poisoning Mimicking Acute Stroke

source extracted confidence: high 2026-04-09
#humans #acetylcholinesterase #fruit #ischemic-stroke #jamaica

Jamaican Susumber Berry Poisoning Mimicking Acute Stroke

Tamaiev et al., 2023 | Cerebrovasc Dis | Systematic Review

Citation

Tamaiev Jonathan, Trebach Joshua, ... Levine Steven R. Jamaican Susumber Berry Poisoning Mimicking Acute Stroke. Cerebrovasc Dis. 2023;52(1):110-116. doi:10.1159/000525686

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Stroke mimics are non-vascular conditions that present with acute focal neurological deficits, simulating an acute ischemic stroke. Susumber berry (SB) toxicity is a rare cause of stroke mimic with limited case reports available in the literature. OBJECTIVES: We report four new cases of SB toxicity presenting as stroke mimic, and we performed a systematic review. METHODS: MEDLINE/EMBASE/WoS were searched for "susumber berries," "susumber," or "solanum torvum." RESULTS: 531 abstracts were screened after removal of duplicates; 5 articles and 2 conference abstracts were selected describing 13 patients. A total of 17 patients who ingested SB and became ill were identified, including our 4 patients. All but one presented with acute neurologic manifestation; 16 (94%) presented with dysarthria, 16 (94%) with unstable gait, 8 (47%) with nystagmus/gaze deviation, 10 (59%) with blurry vision, and 5 (29%) with autonomic symptoms. Six (35%) required ICU admission, and 3 (18%) were intubated. Fourteen (82%) had a rapid complete recovery, and 3 were hospitalized up to 1 month. CONCLUSIONS: SB toxicity can cause neurological symptoms that mimic an acute stroke typically with a posterior circulation symptom complex. Altered SB toxins (from post-harvest stressors or temperature changes) might stimulate muscarinic/nicotinic cholinergic receptors or inhibit acetylcholinesterase, causing gastrointestinal, neurological, and autonomic symptoms. In cases of multiple patients presenting simultaneously to the ED with stroke-like symptoms or when stroke-like symptoms fail to localize, a toxicological etiology (such as SB toxicity) should be considered.

Key Findings

531 abstracts were screened after removal of duplicates; 5 articles and 2 conference abstracts were selected describing 13 patients. A total of 17 patients who ingested SB and became ill were identified, including our 4 patients. All but one presented with acute neurologic manifestation; 16 (94%) presented with dysarthria, 16 (94%) with unstable gait, 8 (47%) with nystagmus/gaze deviation, 10 (59%) with blurry vision, and 5 (29%) with autonomic symptoms. Six (35%) required ICU admission, and 3 (

Outcomes Measured

  • Requires manual extraction

Population

Field Value
Population See abstract
Sample Size 13
Age Range See abstract
Condition stress

MeSH Terms

  • Humans
  • Acetylcholinesterase
  • Fruit
  • Ischemic Stroke
  • Jamaica
  • Poisoning

Evidence Classification

  • Level: Systematic Review
  • Publication Types: Case Reports, Journal Article, Systematic Review
  • Vertical: niacin

Provenance

Source extracted via PubMed E-utilities API on 2026-04-09