Paralytic shellfish poisoning: Difference between revisions
CSV import |
CSV import |
||
| (One intermediate revision by the same user not shown) | |||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
{{SI}} | |||
{{Infobox medical condition | |||
| name = Paralytic shellfish poisoning | |||
| image = [[File:Saxitoxin_neutral.svg|left|thumb|Chemical structure of saxitoxin]] | |||
| caption = Chemical structure of saxitoxin | |||
| field = [[Toxicology]] | |||
| symptoms = [[Nausea]], [[vomiting]], [[diarrhea]], [[abdominal pain]], [[paresthesia]], [[muscle weakness]], [[respiratory failure]] | |||
| complications = [[Respiratory arrest]], [[death]] | |||
| onset = Minutes to hours after consumption | |||
| duration = Hours to days | |||
| causes = Consumption of shellfish contaminated with [[saxitoxin]] | |||
| risks = Eating shellfish from affected waters | |||
| diagnosis = Clinical evaluation, history of shellfish consumption | |||
| differential = [[Ciguatera]], [[neurotoxic shellfish poisoning]], [[amnesic shellfish poisoning]] | |||
| prevention = Avoiding shellfish from affected areas | |||
| treatment = Supportive care, [[mechanical ventilation]] if needed | |||
| prognosis = Good with prompt treatment | |||
| frequency = Varies by region and season | |||
}} | |||
'''Paralytic shellfish poisoning''' (PSP) is a serious illness caused by consuming shellfish contaminated with dinoflagellate algae that produce harmful toxins. These toxins can cause paralysis and even death in humans. | '''Paralytic shellfish poisoning''' (PSP) is a serious illness caused by consuming shellfish contaminated with dinoflagellate algae that produce harmful toxins. These toxins can cause paralysis and even death in humans. | ||
== Causes == | == Causes == | ||
PSP is primarily caused by the consumption of shellfish that have ingested the marine dinoflagellate algae, ''[[Alexandrium spp.]]'', ''[[Gymnodinium catenatum]]'', and ''[[Pyrodinium bahamense]]''. These algae produce a group of neurotoxins known as [[saxitoxin]]s. | PSP is primarily caused by the consumption of shellfish that have ingested the marine dinoflagellate algae, ''[[Alexandrium spp.]]'', ''[[Gymnodinium catenatum]]'', and ''[[Pyrodinium bahamense]]''. These algae produce a group of neurotoxins known as [[saxitoxin]]s. | ||
== Symptoms == | == Symptoms == | ||
Symptoms of PSP can occur within minutes to hours after consuming contaminated shellfish. Initial symptoms often include tingling of the lips and tongue, which may begin to spread to the face and neck. Paralysis and respiratory failure can occur in severe cases, leading to death. | Symptoms of PSP can occur within minutes to hours after consuming contaminated shellfish. Initial symptoms often include tingling of the lips and tongue, which may begin to spread to the face and neck. Paralysis and respiratory failure can occur in severe cases, leading to death. | ||
== Diagnosis == | == Diagnosis == | ||
Diagnosis of PSP is typically based on the patient's symptoms and recent dietary history. Laboratory testing can be done to detect the presence of saxitoxins in the patient's blood or in leftover food. | Diagnosis of PSP is typically based on the patient's symptoms and recent dietary history. Laboratory testing can be done to detect the presence of saxitoxins in the patient's blood or in leftover food. | ||
== Treatment == | == Treatment == | ||
There is no specific antidote for PSP. Treatment is supportive and aims to manage symptoms. This may include respiratory support in severe cases. | There is no specific antidote for PSP. Treatment is supportive and aims to manage symptoms. This may include respiratory support in severe cases. | ||
== Prevention == | == Prevention == | ||
Prevention of PSP involves monitoring of shellfish and water for the presence of harmful algae and toxins. Public health advisories and closures of shellfish beds are often implemented during harmful algal blooms to prevent human exposure to the toxins. | Prevention of PSP involves monitoring of shellfish and water for the presence of harmful algae and toxins. Public health advisories and closures of shellfish beds are often implemented during harmful algal blooms to prevent human exposure to the toxins. | ||
== See also == | == See also == | ||
* [[Shellfish poisoning]] | * [[Shellfish poisoning]] | ||
* [[Harmful algal bloom]] | * [[Harmful algal bloom]] | ||
* [[Saxitoxin]] | * [[Saxitoxin]] | ||
* [[Dinoflagellate]] | * [[Dinoflagellate]] | ||
[[Category:Foodborne illnesses]] | [[Category:Foodborne illnesses]] | ||
[[Category:Toxic effects of substances chiefly nonmedicinal as to source]] | [[Category:Toxic effects of substances chiefly nonmedicinal as to source]] | ||
Latest revision as of 22:17, 6 April 2025
Editor-In-Chief: Prab R Tumpati, MD
Obesity, Sleep & Internal medicine
Founder, WikiMD Wellnesspedia &
W8MD medical weight loss NYC and sleep center NYC
| Paralytic shellfish poisoning | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Synonyms | N/A |
| Pronounce | N/A |
| Specialty | N/A |
| Symptoms | Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, paresthesia, muscle weakness, respiratory failure |
| Complications | Respiratory arrest, death |
| Onset | Minutes to hours after consumption |
| Duration | Hours to days |
| Types | N/A |
| Causes | Consumption of shellfish contaminated with saxitoxin |
| Risks | Eating shellfish from affected waters |
| Diagnosis | Clinical evaluation, history of shellfish consumption |
| Differential diagnosis | Ciguatera, neurotoxic shellfish poisoning, amnesic shellfish poisoning |
| Prevention | Avoiding shellfish from affected areas |
| Treatment | Supportive care, mechanical ventilation if needed |
| Medication | N/A |
| Prognosis | Good with prompt treatment |
| Frequency | Varies by region and season |
| Deaths | N/A |
Paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) is a serious illness caused by consuming shellfish contaminated with dinoflagellate algae that produce harmful toxins. These toxins can cause paralysis and even death in humans.
Causes[edit]
PSP is primarily caused by the consumption of shellfish that have ingested the marine dinoflagellate algae, Alexandrium spp., Gymnodinium catenatum, and Pyrodinium bahamense. These algae produce a group of neurotoxins known as saxitoxins.
Symptoms[edit]
Symptoms of PSP can occur within minutes to hours after consuming contaminated shellfish. Initial symptoms often include tingling of the lips and tongue, which may begin to spread to the face and neck. Paralysis and respiratory failure can occur in severe cases, leading to death.
Diagnosis[edit]
Diagnosis of PSP is typically based on the patient's symptoms and recent dietary history. Laboratory testing can be done to detect the presence of saxitoxins in the patient's blood or in leftover food.
Treatment[edit]
There is no specific antidote for PSP. Treatment is supportive and aims to manage symptoms. This may include respiratory support in severe cases.
Prevention[edit]
Prevention of PSP involves monitoring of shellfish and water for the presence of harmful algae and toxins. Public health advisories and closures of shellfish beds are often implemented during harmful algal blooms to prevent human exposure to the toxins.
See also[edit]
