Kambo Frog Poisoning in Mexico

Abstract

Introduction: Kambo is the skin secretion of the toxic Brazilian frog Phyllomedusa bicolor and has been practiced its inoculation through the human skin worldwide, especially in South America, by curiosity or to cure multiple diseases. Objective: Report a case of poisoning in a current ritual with Kambo frog poison.  Results: 41-year-old male, Marijuana user with a last consumption three months ago. He used Kambo for generalized anxiety disorder with panic attacks and claustrophobia. He suffered complications, including neuropathy, that we associate to the toxic effect of Kambo. He received oral prednisone, diphenidol and paroxetine as treatment with improvement. Discussión: The substances that can be related to the neuropathy are tachykinin through the B receptors that participate in mechanisms linked to pain, dermorphins and deltorphins, Mu opioid agonists that act on Mu and Delta receptors of the central nervous system involved in analgesic effects, exist two phases have been described in Kambo intoxication: the first phase (usually 15-30 minutes) and the second phase, that include the persistence of acute symptoms, syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion, acute toxic hepatitis, and dermatomyositis. Our patient presented the classic acute symptoms, however, he had focal sensory neuropathy. Conclusion: Clinicians need to be aware of the complications of this shamanic ritual expanding worldwide.