ABSTRACT
Thirty four (34) patients, upon ingesting of the fish Gobius criniger manifested neurologic and gastrointestinal symptoms, resulting in four (4) mortalities due to respiratory paralysis. Two (2) victims were admitted and successfully treated at our hospital. One patient presented with respiratory insufficiency, therefore he was hooked up to a mechanical ventilator. To document the poisoning, analysis of fish samples for toxin isolations was done in Japan, using the High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) revealing the identity of Tetrodotoxin. Bioassay in rats was done at the Bureau of Food and Drugs (BFAD) confirming the high level of toxicity. This report was the first documented case of fish poisoning due to Tetrodotoxin in the country. Close monitoring regarding the toxicity level of the Goby fish should be done in Julugan, Tanza, Cavite, during the spawning period in September to April of each year, when poisoning is observed to be rampant. (Author)