Scombrotoxic fish poisoning
From Ganfyd
Scombrotoxic fish poisoning, also known as scombroid toxicity or scombrotoxic poisoning is a form of food poisoning. It is caused by histamine and histamine-like products of bacterial breakdown of seafood, inhibiting its metabolism. The exact aetiology is complicated as histamine is not generally absorbed via the gut and administration of oral histamine does not replicate the symptoms. Foods notably associated with it are:
- Tuna
- Mackeral
- Bonito
Symptoms come on within 2 minutes to 2 hours after eating the seafood.
- Rash and pruritus
- Diarrhoea and Vomiting
- Flushing and sweating
- Headache
- Burning or swelling of the mouth
- Abdominal pain
- Metallic taste
- Bronchospasm
 | Statutorily notifiable as food poisoning. |
Treatment is generally unnecessary, but antihistamines or adrenaline may be needed. Certain drugs such as isoniazid and doxycycline can aggravate it by interfering with hepatic histamine breakdown.
