Litchi (lychee) encephalopathy

Metabolic features

• This results from hypoglycin A or methylenecyclopropylglycine (MCPG) toxicity
• This causes impaired gluconeogenesis and β-oxidation of fatty acids
• This results in hypoglycaemia and metabolic derangement
• It is a form of hypoglycaemic encephalopathy

Demographic features

Clinical features

Risk factors

Synonyms

References

1. Shrivastava A, Kumar A, Thomas JD, et al. Association of acute toxic encephalopathy with litchi consumption in an outbreak in Muzaffarpur, India, 2014: a case-control study. Lancet Glob Health 2017; 5:e458-e466. 
2. Spencer PS, Palmer VS. The enigma of litchi toxicity: an emerging health concern in southern Asia. Lancet Glob Health 2017; 5:e383-e384.
3. Shrivastava A, Srikantiah P, Kumar A, et al; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Outbreaks of unexplained neurologic illness - Muzaffarpur, India, 2013-2014. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2015; 64:49-53.

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