Rice water stools and garlicky breath are characteristic of poisoning by which toxin?

Rice water stools and garlicky breath are characteristic of poisoning by which toxin?

• A. Arsenic
• B. Lead
• C. Mercury
• D. Cyanide

Answer: (A)

Rice water stools with garlicky breath point to arsenic poisoning. The GI tract is acutely irritated by arsenic, producing large-volume, watery stools that can resemble rice water, often with accompanying vomiting and abdominal pain. A distinctive garlicky odor on the breath is a classic clue to arsenic exposure and helps distinguish it from other toxin ingestions. Mechanistically, arsenic disrupts cellular energy production by inhibiting enzymes like pyruvate dehydrogenase, leading to mucosal injury and severe diarrhea. Other toxins tend to produce different symptom patterns and odors, so this particular combination is characteristic of arsenic.

Rice water stools with garlicky breath point to arsenic poisoning. The GI tract is acutely irritated by arsenic, producing large-volume, watery stools that can resemble rice water, often with accompanying vomiting and abdominal pain. A distinctive garlicky odor on the breath is a classic clue to arsenic exposure and helps distinguish it from other toxin ingestions. Mechanistically, arsenic disrupts cellular energy production by inhibiting enzymes like pyruvate dehydrogenase, leading to mucosal injury and severe diarrhea. Other toxins tend to produce different symptom patterns and odors, so this particular combination is characteristic of arsenic.