Cantharidin poisoning due to blister beetle ingestion in children: two case reports and a review of clinical presentations

Cantharidin is an intoxicant found in beetles in the Meloidae [Coleoptera] family. Ingestion may result in haematemesis, impaired level of consciousness, electrolyte disturbance, haematurea and renal impairment. Here, we report two paediatric cases of meloid beetle ingestion resulting in cantharidin poisoning and the clinical presentation of the ensuing intoxication

Congenital hydrocephalus due to aqueductal stenosis of probable autosomal recessive inheritance

Hereditary stenosis of the aqueduct of Sylvius is known to be transmitted as an X-linked recessive trait, thus affecting only the male offspring. We describe a family of consanguineous marriage where 2 sons and 2 daughters were afflicted with congenital hydrocephalus associated with stenosis of aqueduct of Sylvius. The pattern of the disease in this family is consistent with autosomal recessive inheritance. The authors of this communication are not aware of any literature reporting a similar mode of inheritance regarding this condition. Perhaps this discordant genetic mode of inheritance could have been caused by the consanguinity between the parents