Tetrodotoxin poisoning from dried “globefish”

This report presents 2 cases of tetrodotoxin poisoning seen at Hennepin County Medical Center in June, 2014. The patients, a 30-year-old man and his 33-year-old sister, both presented with symptoms typical of puffer fish poisoning that began 30 minutes after ingesting dried “globefish” originally purchased from a street vendor in New York City. Symptoms included: numbness around the mouth and tongue paresthesias and weakness in the extremities fatigue dyspnea Each patient is described as stating that “my teeth can’t feel themselves.” Physical exam findings, including strength and respiratory effort, were unremarkable. Overnight observation was suggested but both patients signed out against medical advice and were lost to follow-up. Seven samples of the dried fish involved were tested by the Food and Drug Administration and identified as Lagocephalus lunaris (lunartail puffer.) This fish, native to the Indo-West Pacific and Southeast Atlantic oceans is banned in the United States because it has  tetrodotoxin distributed throughout the flesh. Tetrodotoxin is a heat-stable alkaloid that blocks sodium channels, interfering with nerve conduction and muscle activation. Early symptoms, mirroring those experienced by these patients, can progress to paralysis and respiratory arrest. Related posts: Restaurant keeps 2 Michelin stars after fugu poisoning What the fugu — the secret of poison sushi Seafood poisoning review  
Source: The Poison Review - Category: Toxicology Authors: Tags: Medical fish poisoning globefish lagocephalus lunaris puffer fish seafood poisoning tetrodotoxin Source Type: news