326
FINDLAY E. RUSSELL
In a severe poisoning the victim may complain of “ numbness all
over ”, giving rise to a feeling of “ floating in air ”. Such victims usually
have decreased or absent superficial and deep reflexes, as well as severe
changes in proprioception. Other symptoms and signs often present
during the acute stages of the poisoning include : sweating, increased
salivation, pain on inspiration, changes in oral temperature and in the
pupils, and hypotension with a weak but increased heart rate. In the
more severe cases the muscular weakness increases, muscular fasciculations may be seen, and respiratory distress, chest pain and cyanosis are
usually present. Petechial hemorrhages may develop. Paralysis
involving the body musculature, the larynx and the extra ocular
muscles is found in the most severe cases. Convulsions occasionally
occur. Death is attributed to “ respiratory paralysis ”, and occurs
6-24 h following ingestion of the toxic fish.
3. Scombroid
Certain of the mackerel-like fishes, the tunas, skipjacks and bonitos
are occasionally involved in poisonings to man. The symptomatology
of these poisonings is quite different from that provoked by ciguatera
toxin, although some of these fish may also be implicated in ciguatera
poisoning. If scombroids are inadequately preserved, a toxic substance
is formed within the body musculature. This substance was once
thought to be histamine, formed by the action of enzymes and bacteria
(Markov, 1943) or released by bacterial action on the death of the fish
(Geiger et al., 1944). However, more recent evidence would seem to
indicate that the toxic component may not be histamine (Kawabata
et al., 1955a), although it does resemble this substance in certain of its
properties (Kawabata et al., 1955b). Kawabata has given the toxic
substance the name ‘‘ saurine”.
Following ingestion of the offending fish the victim usually complains
of nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and epigastric distress, flushing of the
face, headache, and burning of the throat, sometimes followed by
numbness, thirst, and generalized urticaria. These signs and symptoms
usually appear within 2 h of the meal and subside within 16 h. In the
more severe cases there may be some muscular weakness and pain.
The poisoning is rarely serious. The offending fish is often said to have
a “ peppery taste ”.
The general symptomatology is certainly similar to that of
histamine poisoning, and the fact that antihistamines do lessen the
distress would appear to indicate that a histamine-like substance or a
substance that releases histamine in the victim may be involved in
the poisoning.
FINDLAY E. RUSSELL
In a severe poisoning the victim may complain of “ numbness all
over ”, giving rise to a feeling of “ floating in air ”. Such victims usually
have decreased or absent superficial and deep reflexes, as well as severe
changes in proprioception. Other symptoms and signs often present
during the acute stages of the poisoning include : sweating, increased
salivation, pain on inspiration, changes in oral temperature and in the
pupils, and hypotension with a weak but increased heart rate. In the
more severe cases the muscular weakness increases, muscular fasciculations may be seen, and respiratory distress, chest pain and cyanosis are
usually present. Petechial hemorrhages may develop. Paralysis
involving the body musculature, the larynx and the extra ocular
muscles is found in the most severe cases. Convulsions occasionally
occur. Death is attributed to “ respiratory paralysis ”, and occurs
6-24 h following ingestion of the toxic fish.
3. Scombroid
Certain of the mackerel-like fishes, the tunas, skipjacks and bonitos
are occasionally involved in poisonings to man. The symptomatology
of these poisonings is quite different from that provoked by ciguatera
toxin, although some of these fish may also be implicated in ciguatera
poisoning. If scombroids are inadequately preserved, a toxic substance
is formed within the body musculature. This substance was once
thought to be histamine, formed by the action of enzymes and bacteria
(Markov, 1943) or released by bacterial action on the death of the fish
(Geiger et al., 1944). However, more recent evidence would seem to
indicate that the toxic component may not be histamine (Kawabata
et al., 1955a), although it does resemble this substance in certain of its
properties (Kawabata et al., 1955b). Kawabata has given the toxic
substance the name ‘‘ saurine”.
Following ingestion of the offending fish the victim usually complains
of nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and epigastric distress, flushing of the
face, headache, and burning of the throat, sometimes followed by
numbness, thirst, and generalized urticaria. These signs and symptoms
usually appear within 2 h of the meal and subside within 16 h. In the
more severe cases there may be some muscular weakness and pain.
The poisoning is rarely serious. The offending fish is often said to have
a “ peppery taste ”.
The general symptomatology is certainly similar to that of
histamine poisoning, and the fact that antihistamines do lessen the
distress would appear to indicate that a histamine-like substance or a
substance that releases histamine in the victim may be involved in
the poisoning.