398  ◾  Fundamental Food Microbiology
table 28.2 Fish and Shellfish toxins Associated with Food Poisoning
Type of
Poisoning
Toxin(s) Involved
[Microbial Source]
Fish and
Shellfish
Source
Symptoms
Symptom
Onset Time
Scombroid
Histamine [Multiple
bacterial species]
Tuna, mahi
mahi, bonita,
marlin, bluefish,
wahoo,
mackerel, and
salmon
Severe headache,
dizziness, nausea,
vomiting, allergic
response: flushed
skin, urticaria, and
wheezing
Min to 1 h
Ciguatera
fish
poisoning
(CFP)
Ciguatoxin [Algae:
Gambierdiscus
toxicus]
Coral reef fish:
amberjack,
snappers,
grouper, goat
fish, barracuda,
sea bass,
surgeon fish,
ulua, and papio
Abdominal pain,
diarrhea, vomiting,
paresthesias
(tingling, burning,
numbness), cold-tohot sensory reversal,
weakness, and
myalgias
30 min– 4h
Puffer fish
poisoning
(PFP)
Tetrodotoxin
Ocean
sunfishes,
porcupine
fishes, and
fugu (puffer
fish)
Paresthesias,
headache, vomiting,
diaphoresis,
respiratory paralysis,
circulatory collapse,
and death
10–45 min
Paralytic
shellfish
poisoning
(PSP)
Saxitoxins [Algae:
Alexandrium
catenella]
Mussels, clams
and oysters
Vomiting, diarrhea,
facial paresthesias,
and respiratory
paralysis leading to
death
5–30 min
Neurotoxic
shellfish
poisoning
(NSP)
Brevetoxins [Algae:
Karenia brevis]
Mussels and
clams
Diarrhea, vomiting,
abdominal pain,
myalgias,
paresthesias, and
ataxia
30 min–3 h
Amnesic
shellfish
poisoning
(ASP)
Domoic acid
(neurotoxin) [Algae:
Pseudonitzschia
pungens]
Mussels, clams,
crabs, and
anchovies
Vomiting, diarrhea,
headache,
myoclonus, loss of
short-term memory,
confusion,
disorientation,
seizures, coma, and
hemiparesis
15 min to
>35 h
(continued)