• Ann M Arens, Tiffany C Anaebere, Howard Horng, and Kent Olson.
• a Department of Emergency Medicine , University of California , San Francisco , CA , USA.
• Clin Toxicol (Phila). 2016 Nov 1; 54 (9): 878-880.

IntroductionCommon yew (Taxus baccata) is a common decorative evergreen shrub with potentially fatal toxicity hallmarked by seizure, arrhythmia and cardiovascular collapse if ingested. Taxine B has been identified as one of the most cardiotoxic taxine alkaloids in Taxus spp, and another alkaloid, 3,5-dimethoxyphenol (3,5-DMP), is used as a marker of ingestion. We present a fatal case of ingestion of yew with perimortem serum and gastric taxine B, and 3,5-DMP concentrations.Case PresentationA 22-year-old woman was brought to the emergency department (ED) from a nearby botanical garden after she was found apneic and pulseless after a witnessed generalized tonic clonic seizure. The patient was found to have a wide complex rhythm with persistent cardiovascular collapse and expired despite maximal supportive care in the ED. A baggie of plant material was found on the patient, identified as Taxus baccata. Perimortem serum and gastric samples were analyzed to quantify serum and gastric taxine B and 3,5-DMP concentrations.ResultsPerimortem serum showed a 3,5-DMP concentration of 86.9 ng/mL, and taxine B of 80.9 ug/mL.ConclusionWe report a perimortem serum and gastric taxine B and 3,5-DMP concentrations in a fatal case of T. baccata toxicity.

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