Ciguatera poisoning
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Web Resources for Ciguatera poisoning (search term=Ciguatera_poisoning)
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Medpedia on Ciguatera poisoning (Less technical, good quality control)
Wikipedia on Ciguatera poisoning (Less technical, ? quality control)
A problem of the tropics and subtropics but watch out with global warming. Ciguatera poisoning is usually associated with eating food high up the marine food chain such as tropical reef fish[1]. It is caused by a heat-stable Dinoflagellate toxin, which produces symptoms within a few minutes to day and a half. Symptoms include
- Nausea and vomiting
- Diarrheoa
- Muscle cramps and aches
- Headache
- Sweating
and if severe
- Paraesthesias- burning or pins-and-needles, altered hot and cold sensation to normal
- Weakness
- Puritis
- Dizziness
- Hallucinations
Treatment is supportive. Mannitol does not work[2]. The neurological symptoms may respond to amitriptyline, fluoxetine, gabapentin, nifedipine or corticosteroids
References
- ↑ Watkins SM, Reich A, Fleming LE, Hammond R. Neurotoxic shellfish poisoning. Marine drugs. 2008; 6(3):431-55.(Link to article – subscription may be required.)
- ↑ Schnorf H, Taurarii M, Cundy T. Ciguatera fish poisoning: a double-blind randomized trial of mannitol therapy. Neurology. 2002 Mar 26; 58(6):873-80.
