Ciguatera Fish Poisoning

Abstract

Ciguatera fish poisoning is a foodborne illness caused by the ingestion of coral reef fish contaminated with toxins that arise from Gambierdiscus toxicus that grows on coral reefs in lndian and Pacific Ocean regions and in the Caribbean sea. The first case in Europe was reported in Canary lslands in 2004. ln Madeira lsland the first case was reported in 2008. The global warming may increase the frequency of ciguatera fish poisoning. The patient affected with ciguatera fish poi­soning may develop gastrointestinal, neurologic and cardio­vascular findings. Treatment is primarily supportive. Authors present a case of 12 fishermen presenting nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal pain that onset 3 hours after consu­ming pigfish of the Desert lslands. Nine patients presented hypotension, ali patients had bradycardia and four of them needed atropine. Ciguatera fish poisoning is a clinica/ pre­sumptive diagnosis.