Autopsy report for a caffeine intoxication case and review of the current literature

Caffeine (1,3,7-trimethylxanthine) is a popular mild central nervous system stimulant found in the leaves, seeds and fruits of various plants and in foodstuffs such as coffee, tea, and chocolate, among others. Caffeine is widely used and is not associated with severe side effects when consumed at re...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of Toxicologic Pathology 2015, Vol.28(1), pp.33-36
Main Authors: Yamamoto, Takuma, Yoshizawa, Katsuhiko, Kubo, Shin-ichi, Emoto, Yuko, Hara, Kenji, Waters, Brian, Umehara, Takahiro, Murase, Takehiko, Ikematsu, Kazuya
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
autopsy
caffeine
Case Report
intoxication
pathology
suicide
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Summary:Caffeine (1,3,7-trimethylxanthine) is a popular mild central nervous system stimulant found in the leaves, seeds and fruits of various plants and in foodstuffs such as coffee, tea, and chocolate, among others. Caffeine is widely used and is not associated with severe side effects when consumed at relatively low doses. Although rarely observed, overdoses can occur. However, only a few fatal caffeine intoxication cases have been reported in the literature. Herein, we report the pathological examination results and information on caffeine concentrations in the blood, urine and main organs in a fatal caffeine intoxication case. Even though high caffeine concentrations were found in the systemic organs, no caffeine-related pathological changes were detected.
ISSN:0914-9198
1881-915X
1347-7404
DOI:10.1293/tox.2014-0044