What causes ciguatera fish poisoning?

About Ciguatera Ciguatera fish poisoning (or ciguatera) is an illness caused by eating fish that contain toxins produced by a marine microalgae called Gambierdiscus toxicus. People who have ciguatera may experience nausea, vomiting, and neurologic symptoms such as tingling fingers or toes.

What causes CFP?

Ciguatera fish poisoning (CFP), also known simply as ciguatera, is a foodborne illness caused by eating reef fish whose flesh is contaminated with certain toxins. Such individual fish are said to be ciguatoxic.

What type of toxin is ciguatera toxin?

Ciguatera toxin is a heat-stable lipid soluble compound, produced by dinoflagellates and concentrated in fish organs, that can cause nausea, pain, cardiac, and neurological symptoms in humans when ingested.

What treatments are used for ciguatera toxin?

Treatment of ciguatera poisoning is primarily supportive. Intravenous hydration with crystalloid and electrolyte replacement may be necessary for dehydration. Severe or refractory hypotension may require a vasopressor. Antiemetics such as ondansetron may be beneficial.

What are the signs of seafood poisoning?

Physical Symptoms. The symptoms and signs of shellfish food poisoning may differ from one individual to another, but they include nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea and headache.

What type/size fish can contain ciguatera?

The bigger the fish, the more ciguatoxin it contains. The highest levels of ciguatoxin are usually found in large, predatory reef fish. This includes barracuda, grouper, amberjack, snapper and mackerel. Fish with ciguatoxins do not look, smell or taste differently from fish without ciguatoxins. Prevention. Always ask what kind of fish you are buying.

Who discovered ciguatera fish disease?

During October 2016, more than 100 people suffered from ciguatera poisoning after eating fish heads supplied by an export firm in Mangalore, India. Ciguatera was first described by one of the surgeon’s mates, William Anderson, on the crew of HMS Resolution in 1774.

What is fish food poisoning?

Fish food poisoning. The most common cases of food poisoning which involve fish usually occur as a result of eating contaminated prawns or other shellfish. A good example of this is oysters which some people enjoy consuming whilst raw. But these often contain bacteria which are likely to cause food poisoning and other similar conditions.