Ergot Poisoning from Contaminated Rye Bread: History, Symptoms, and Health Effects

By SWA

Eating rye bread made from grain contaminated with the ergot fungus (Claviceps purpurea) can have dangerous—even fatal—consequences. This condition, called ergotism, is caused by a group of toxic compounds known as ergot alkaloids. These alkaloids affect the nervous system, blood vessels, muscles, and even the hormonal balance of the human body.


Although rare today due to agricultural regulations and modern food safety practices, ergotism once caused mass poisonings across Europe. This article provides a comprehensive overview of ergot poisoning—its history, symptoms, causes, mechanisms, and modern-day relevance.

What Is Ergot and What Does It Do to the Body?

Ergot is a fungal disease caused by Claviceps purpurea, which infects cereal crops, especially rye. The fungus replaces developing grains with sclerotia—dark, hardened fungal structures containing ergot alkaloids, the compounds responsible for ergotism.

What Does Ergot Do to the Human Body?

Ergot alkaloids:

  • Constrict blood vessels (vasoconstriction)

  • Mimic neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine

  • Disrupt hormonal balance

  • Trigger uterine contractions

  • Cause hallucinations, muscle pain, and vascular damage

These effects can vary depending on the dose, duration of exposure, and type of alkaloid present.

Ergot Poisoning: History, Causes, and Cultural Impact

Historical Context

Ergot poisoning has affected humans for centuries. In the Middle Ages, outbreaks of "St. Anthony’s Fire" caused widespread death and suffering across Europe. People who consumed bread made from ergot-contaminated rye experienced symptoms ranging from convulsions to gangrene.

Major Outbreaks:

  • France (994 AD): Over 40,000 deaths in a single outbreak

  • Germany (1596 & 1735): Mass poisonings reported

  • Salem Witch Trials (1692, USA): The hallucinations and seizures described by accusers have been linked by some researchers to convulsive ergotism

  • Ethiopia (1977–1978): Hundreds affected due to contaminated grain

  • Canada (1999, 2008): Ergot detected in wheat crops

  • USA (1996): Last documented case of ergot poisoning from contaminated rye

Causes of Ergot Contamination:

  • Cool, damp weather during flowering increases fungal growth

  • Poor grain cleaning or storage practices

  • Use of infected seeds or lack of crop rotation

Forms of Ergotism: Symptoms and Progression

Ergotism presents in two major clinical forms: Convulsive and Gangrenous. In both cases, early symptoms can appear within an hour to a few days after ingesting contaminated grain.

1. Convulsive Ergotism (Neurological Form)

System affected: Central nervous system
Cause: High levels of neurotoxic alkaloids such as ergometrine and ergocristine

Symptoms:

  • Hallucinations and visual disturbances

  • Delirium, paranoia, and psychotic behavior

  • Muscle spasms, tremors, and convulsions

  • Tingling and burning sensations (origin of "St. Anthony’s Fire")

  • Seizures, nausea, vomiting

Duration: Symptoms can last up to one week or more and may worsen with continued exposure.

2. Gangrenous Ergotism (Vascular Form)

System affected: Circulatory system
Cause: Severe vasospasm due to ergotamine and related alkaloids

Symptoms:

  • Cold, numb, and pale limbs

  • Dry gangrene (tissue death without infection)

  • Skin discoloration (black or dark purple)

  • Severe pain in fingers, toes, legs

  • Amputation risk due to tissue necrosis

Blood Vessel Effects:

  • Ergot alkaloids cause vasospasm (long-lasting constriction of blood vessels)

  • Can affect arteries to the legs, kidneys, retina, neck, and heart

  • 60–70% of vascular symptoms affect the lower limbs

Common Side Effects of Ergot (Ergotism)

Even in non-lethal doses or therapeutic use, ergot alkaloids can produce unpleasant side effects:

Common Side EffectsSystem Affected
Nausea and vomiting    Digestive system
Light-headedness    Nervous system
Numbness and tingling    Peripheral nerves
Muscle cramps and pain    Musculoskeletal system
Itching or skin discomfort    Integumentary system (skin)
Bradycardia (slow heart rate)    Cardiovascular system
Hypertension    Cardiovascular system
Uterine contractions    Reproductive system

9. Summary Table

Type of ErgotismSystem AffectedKey Symptoms
Convulsive Ergotism    Nervous System    Hallucinations, seizures, spasms, tremors
Gangrenous Ergotism    Circulatory System    Cold limbs, blackened skin, dry gangrene, limb loss
Systemic/Reproductive    Multiple Systems    Nausea, hypertension, miscarriage, kidney dysfunction

10. Conclusion

Ergot-contaminated rye bread presents a fascinating and alarming chapter in medical and cultural history. While mass poisonings from ergotism are now rare, the risk has not been fully eliminated, especially in developing countries or during adverse agricultural conditions.

Key Takeaways:

  • Ergotism is a real, historically significant disease caused by eating ergot-contaminated grains.

  • Symptoms range from hallucinations and convulsions to gangrene and limb loss.

  • Modern testing and regulations in places like the EU and Germany have largely controlled the threat—but vigilance is still essential.

Understanding the link between ergot, human health, and food safety is not just a study of the past—it’s a continuing priority in global food security and toxicology.

References

Ergot poisoning: Symptoms, treatment, and history https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/ergot-poisoning

Ergot Alkaloids https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK548405/

Cytotoxicity and fluorescence visualization of ergot alkaloids in human cell lines
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23256872/

Ergot Alkaloid https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/pharmacology-toxicology-and-pharmaceutical-science/ergot-alkaloid

What Is Ergotism? https://www.webmd.com/first-aid/what-is-ergotism

DBL Ergometrine https://www.news-medical.net/drugs/DBL-Ergometrine.aspx

Ergot https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/immunology-and-microbiology/ergot

Claviceps purpurea. https://micro.magnet.fsu.edu/primer/techniques/phasegallery/ergotphase.html

The life cycle of ergot and its impact on cereals and grasses
https://ahdb-org-uk.translate.goog/knowledge-library/the-life-cycle-of-ergot-and-its-impact-on-cereals-and-grasses?_x_tr_sl=en&_x_tr_tl=de&_x_tr_hl=de&_x_tr_pto=sge

 

© 2000-2025 Sieglinde W. Alexander. All writings by Sieglinde W. Alexander have a fife year copy right. Library of Congress Card Number: LCN 00-192742


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