Neurotoxic shellfish poisoning

Editor-In-Chief: Prab R Tumpati, MD
Obesity, Sleep & Internal medicine
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W8MD medical weight loss NYC and sleep center NYC

Neurotoxic shellfish poisoning
Synonyms	N/A
Pronounce	N/A
Specialty	N/A
Symptoms	Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, paresthesia, dizziness, ataxia, muscle weakness
Complications	Respiratory failure in severe cases
Onset	Minutes to hours after consumption
Duration	Hours to days
Types	N/A
Causes	Consumption of shellfish contaminated with Karenia brevis toxins
Risks	Consuming shellfish from affected areas
Diagnosis	Clinical evaluation, history of shellfish consumption
Differential diagnosis	Paralytic shellfish poisoning, Amnesic shellfish poisoning, Ciguatera fish poisoning
Prevention	Monitoring and avoiding shellfish from affected areas
Treatment	Supportive care, intravenous fluids, antiemetics
Medication	N/A
Prognosis	Generally good with supportive care
Frequency	Varies by region and season
Deaths	N/A

Neurotoxic Shellfish Poisoning (NSP) is a harmful condition caused by the consumption of shellfish contaminated with certain toxins. These toxins are produced by a type of microscopic algae known as Karenia brevis.

Causes

The primary cause of NSP is the ingestion of shellfish that have been contaminated with the neurotoxins produced by Karenia brevis. This type of algae is found in marine waters, and shellfish such as oysters, clams, and mussels can accumulate these toxins when they filter feed.

Symptoms

The symptoms of NSP can occur within a few hours of consuming contaminated shellfish. They can include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. Neurological symptoms can also occur, such as numbness, tingling, dizziness, and muscle weakness. In severe cases, individuals may experience short-term memory loss.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of NSP is primarily based on the symptoms and the recent dietary history of the patient. Laboratory tests can also be conducted to detect the presence of the toxins in the patient's blood or stool.

Treatment

There is no specific antidote for the toxins that cause NSP. Treatment is primarily supportive and includes rehydration and symptom management. In severe cases, hospitalization may be required.

Prevention

Prevention of NSP involves avoiding the consumption of shellfish from areas known to have outbreaks of Karenia brevis. Public health agencies often issue warnings when such outbreaks occur.

Gallery

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  Red tide in La Jolla

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  Oysters of the day

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  Brevetoxin A

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  Sodium channel open and closed

See also

• Paralytic shellfish poisoning
• Amnesic shellfish poisoning
• Domoic acid poisoning

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