Tetrodotoxin poisoning following ingestion of the toxic eggs of the horseshoe crab Carcinoscorpius rotundicauda, a case series from 1994 through 2006.
Southeast Asian J Trop Med Public Health
;
2008 Mar; 39(2): 303-6
Article
in English
| IMSEAR
| ID: sea-35933
ABSTRACT
Between 1994 and 2006, a total of 280 cases of varying degrees of tetrodotoxin poisoning following ingestion of the toxic eggs of the horseshoe crab, Carcinoscorpius rotundicauda, were admitted to the medical service of Chon Buri Hospital. The severity of the poisoning was classified into four stages based on clinical signs and symptoms of human tetrodotoxication. Of 245 available medical records; 100 were in stage 1, 74 were in stage 2, 3 were in stage 3 and 68 were in stage 4. The frequencies of symptoms and signs included the following circumoral and lingual numbness (98%), hands and feet numbness (94.7%), weakness (59.6%), dizziness and vertigo (54.3%), nausea and vomiting (52.6%), transient hypertension (39.6%), respiratory paralysis (27.7%), fixed dilated pupils (14.7%), ophthalmoplegia (12.2%), blood pressure lower than 90/60 mmHg (5.7%), and polyuria (0.4%). All patients received symptomatic and supportive treatment. Endotracheal intubation and mechanical ventilation were considered when paralysis was progressing rapidly. The results of treatment are as follows 239 patients (97.5%) showed complete recovery, 5 patients (2%) died, and 1 patient (0.4%) suffered anoxic brain damage. Horseshoe crab poisoning occurs both sporadically and epidemically in Chon Buri. Seasonal variation in the number of cases of poisoning was observed with a peak from December through March.
Full text:
Available
Index:
IMSEAR (South-East Asia)
Main subject:
Seasons
/
Tetrodotoxin
/
Thailand
/
Female
/
Humans
/
Male
/
Retrospective Studies
/
Eggs
/
Foodborne Diseases
/
Horseshoe Crabs
Type of study:
Observational study
Country/Region as subject:
Asia
Language:
English
Journal:
Southeast Asian J Trop Med Public Health
Year:
2008
Type:
Article
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