Ciguatera
Ciguatera
Ciguatera (pronounced: /ˌsiːɡwəˈtɛrə/) is a type of food poisoning caused by eating certain reef fish whose flesh is contaminated with toxins originally produced by dinoflagellates such as Ciguatera Gambierdiscus toxicus that live in tropical and subtropical waters.
Etymology
The term "Ciguatera" originates from the Spanish word "ciguato", which is derived from the Caribbean Taino word for the poisonous algae that contaminates the fish.
Symptoms
Symptoms of Ciguatera can include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, muscle pain, numbness, tingling, abdominal pain, dizziness, and vertigo. Severe cases of Ciguatera can also result in cold allodynia, which is a perception of burning sensation on contact with cold. Neurological symptoms can persist and lead to chronic fatigue syndrome and long-term disability.
Treatment
There is no specific antidote for Ciguatera poisoning. The mainstay of treatment is supportive care and includes rehydration with intravenous fluids, pain relief with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and short-term use of steroids.
Prevention
Prevention strategies include avoiding consumption of reef fish, particularly those from the Caribbean and Pacific Islands, and avoiding the consumption of fish organs, where the concentration of the toxin is typically highest.
Related Terms
- Dinoflagellates
- Algae
- Food Poisoning
- Neurological Symptoms
- Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
- Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs)
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Ciguatera
- Wikipedia's article - Ciguatera
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