Issue: 2008 > October > case report

Two patients with ciguatera toxicity: a seafood poisoning in travellers to (sub) tropical areas



CASE REPORT
L. Slobbe, P.J.J. van Genderen, P.J. Wismans
AbstractPDF

Abstract

Ciguatera toxicity is a type of seafood poisoning caused by the consumption of ciguatoxic reef fish. We describe two patients with characteristic gastrointestinal and neurological symptoms, both of whom had eaten local seafood. Although mortality is low, morbidity can be considerable due to debilitating symptoms. Most cases originate in the (sub)tropics but due to expanding tourism and fish exportation, it may be encountered in more temperate regions. Treatment is supportive, but some benefit from intravenous mannitol has been reported.