Epidemic dropsy is due to:

Appeared in: AIIMS Nagpur NO- 2020

Explanation

Epidemic dropsy is a disease caused by the toxic alkaloid Sanguinarine.
Sanguinarine is found in the seeds of the Argemone mexicana plant, also known as the Mexican poppy.
The disease occurs when edible oils, most commonly mustard oil, are adulterated (accidentally or deliberately) with Argemone oil.
The toxin interferes with pyruvic acid oxidation, leading to its accumulation in the blood and causing symptoms like bilateral leg edema, diarrhea, and cardiac complications.

Option A: Ergot alkaloids, produced by the fungus Claviceps purpurea on grains like bajra and rye, cause Ergotism.
Option B: BOAA (Beta-oxalyl-amino-alanine) is a neurotoxin found in the pulse Lathyrus sativus (Khesari dal).
Option C: Aflatoxin is a mycotoxin produced by Aspergillus fungi on improperly stored food grains like maize and groundnuts.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Foodborne intoxication and diseases from food adulteration as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Nurses play a crucial role in public health surveillance. Recognizing a cluster of cases with bilateral leg edema and gastrointestinal symptoms should raise suspicion of a foodborne outbreak like epidemic dropsy.
Patient education is key. Nurses can educate communities about the dangers of using uncertified, loose edible oils and teach them to identify signs of adulteration.
Management of epidemic dropsy is primarily supportive, focusing on managing heart failure, edema, and other complications. There is no specific antidote for sanguinarine.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the key term in the question stem, which is 'Epidemic dropsy'. This is a specific disease name.
The question asks for the cause ('due to'). This requires recalling the specific causative agent for this disease.
Evaluate each option to determine which toxin is linked to Epidemic dropsy.
Recall or deduce the association: Sanguinarine is the classic toxin associated with epidemic dropsy from adulterated mustard oil.
Eliminate the other options by recalling the diseases they cause: Ergot causes ergotism, BOAA causes neurolathyrism, and Aflatoxin causes aflatoxicosis (liver damage).

Concept Tested & Keywords

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E6 Parks TextBook of Preventive & Social Medicine part 2 — Subpart A (pp 1-232 of 464) p. 194-196

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