Coturnism: Human Poisoning By European Migratory Quail

Abstract

Coturnism is human poisoning from European migratory quail (Coturnix commix coturnix L.). While the name is recent, coturnism has been documented since antiquity. Most cases exhibit generalized weakness, progressing to severe muscle pain and lower limb paralysis, vomiting and discolored urine (myoglobinuria). Patients may experience severe gastroenteritis-diarrhea, fever, voice loss and death from cardiac or kidney failure. Toxic quail cannot be differentiated from safe. Geographical distribution of coturnism is concentrated in four discontinuous regions of the Old World: northern Algeria, southern France, mainland and eastern insular Greece, and the southwestern Soviet Union. Quail are toxic in Algeria and France during the northward spring migration but safe to eat on the autumn return flight. This pattern is reversed in Greece and the Soviet Union where quail are poisonous on the southern, autumn flight. Ancient writers and modern scientists have suggested that seeds from hemlock (Conium maculatum) or aristolochic acid-consuming insects eaten by quail are responsible. Experimental data presented in this study refute both hypotheses. Current evidence suggests that seeds from Slachys annua, a member of the mint family (Labiatae), may be the mechanism.