Crossword clues for pellagra
pellagra
- A disease caused by deficiency of niacin or tryptophan (or by a defect in the metabolic conversion of tryptophan to niacin)
- Characterized by gastrointestinal disturbances and erythema and nervous or mental disorders
- May be caused by malnutrition or alcoholism or other nutritional impairments
- Disease caused by niacin and protein deficiency
Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
The Collaborative International Dictionary
Pellagra \Pel"la*gra\ (p[e^]l"l[.a]*gr[.a]), n. [It. pelle skin
+ agro rough.] (Med.)
An affection of the skin, characterized by redness,
especially in exposed areas, scaling and shedding of the
skin, and accompanied with severe gastrointestinal
disturbance and nervous symptoms. It is due to a deficiency
of niacin in the diet, and may be caused by malnutrition, or,
in some cases, by a heavy dependence on maize for food. It
was at one time (ca. 1890) endemic in Northern Italy, and was
called Alpine scurvy. It may also be caused by alcoholism
or diease causing an impairment of nutrition. It is also
called St. Ignatius's itch, maidism, mal de la rosa,
mal rosso, and psychoneurosis maidica. A variety of
pellagra seen in children is called infantile pellagra or
kwashiorkor.
--[Stedman]
Douglas Harper's Etymology Dictionary
chronic disease caused by dietary deficiency and characterized by skin eruptions, 1811, a hybrid formed from Latin pellis "skin" (see film (n.)) + Greek agra "a catching, seizure," related to agrein "to take, seize." But OED suggests it might be originally Italian pelle agra "rough skin." Related: Pellagrous.
Wiktionary
n. (context pathology English) A disease, with skin lesions and mental confusion, primarily caused by a niacin deficiency.
WordNet
n. a disease caused by deficiency of niacin or tryptophan (or by a defect in the metabolic conversion of tryptophan to niacin); characterized by gastrointestinal disturbances and erythema and nervous or mental disorders; may be caused by malnutrition or alcoholism or other nutritional impairments [syn: Alpine scurvy, mal de la rosa, mal rosso, maidism, mayidism, Saint Ignatius' itch]
Wikipedia
Pellagra is a vitamin deficiency disease most frequently caused by a chronic lack of niacin (vitamin B or synonym: vitamin PP (from: Pellagra Preventing factor)) in the diet. It can be caused by decreased intake of niacin or tryptophan, and possibly by excessive intake of leucine. It may also result from alterations in protein metabolism in disorders such as carcinoid syndrome or Hartnup disease. A deficiency of the amino acid lysine can lead to a deficiency of niacin, as well.
Usage examples of "pellagra".
Their absence is probably responsible for certain diseases, such as beriberi, scurvy, and possibly pellagra, as well as much ill health of a less definite sort.
The granaries were full and the children of the poor grew up rachitic, and the pustules of pellagra swelled on their sides.