Ciguatera: Difference between revisions

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==Background==
* Caused by eating reef fish that have concentrated ciguatoxin

** Barracuda and moray eel are classic
*Foodborne illness caused by eating reef fish that have concentrated ciguatoxin
* Causes GI symptoms (nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea), quickly followed by unusual neurological signs and symptoms (hot-cold reversal, cold allodynia, paresthesias)
*Barracuda and moray eel are classic, but also amberjack, grouper, snapper, and parrotfish, and, rarely, farm-raised salmon
* Can cause bradycardia, heart block, and hypotension

* Management is supportive
===Pathophysiology===

*[[Gambierdiscus]] dinoflagellates that live on or around coral make ciguatera toxin, which concentrates in the fish
*Toxin is heat-stable, acid-stable, and lipid-soluble

==Clinical Manifestations==

*Incubation period of [[Usual incubation period::3 to 6 hours]] (range [[Incubation period range::up to 30 hours]])
*Can present with a variety of symptoms, including gastrointestinal, neurologic, and cardiovascular
*GI symptoms develop within 3 to 6 hours, and include [[Causes::nausea]], [[Causes::vomiting]], [[Causes::diarrhea]], and [[Causes::abdominal pain]]
**Can take up to 4 days to resolve
*Cardiovascular symptoms develop within a few hours, and include [[Causes::bradycardia]], [[Causes::heart block]], and [[Causes::hypotension]]
**Can take up to 4 days to resolve
*Neurological symptoms develop within 3 to 72 hours of ingestion, and include [[Causes::hot-cold reversal]], [[Causes::cold allodynia]], and [[Causes::paresthesias]]
**Can last for weeks to months in a minority of cases
*Concomitant alcohol consumption portends a higher risk of developing [[bradycardia]], [[hypotension]], and altered sensation

==Investigations==

*Mouse bioassay is the gold standard but not often done

==Management==

*Management is supportive
*[[Mannitol]], [[gabapentin]], [[amitriptyline]], and [[pregabalin]] are sometimes used for the neurological symptoms


[[Category:Travel medicine]]
[[Category:Travel medicine]]

Latest revision as of 16:38, 25 January 2022

Background

  • Foodborne illness caused by eating reef fish that have concentrated ciguatoxin
  • Barracuda and moray eel are classic, but also amberjack, grouper, snapper, and parrotfish, and, rarely, farm-raised salmon

Pathophysiology

  • Gambierdiscus dinoflagellates that live on or around coral make ciguatera toxin, which concentrates in the fish
  • Toxin is heat-stable, acid-stable, and lipid-soluble

Clinical Manifestations

  • Incubation period of 3 to 6 hours (range up to 30 hours)
  • Can present with a variety of symptoms, including gastrointestinal, neurologic, and cardiovascular
  • GI symptoms develop within 3 to 6 hours, and include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain
    • Can take up to 4 days to resolve
  • Cardiovascular symptoms develop within a few hours, and include bradycardia, heart block, and hypotension
    • Can take up to 4 days to resolve
  • Neurological symptoms develop within 3 to 72 hours of ingestion, and include hot-cold reversal, cold allodynia, and paresthesias
    • Can last for weeks to months in a minority of cases
  • Concomitant alcohol consumption portends a higher risk of developing bradycardia, hypotension, and altered sensation

Investigations

  • Mouse bioassay is the gold standard but not often done

Management