Pacific ciguatoxin-1 associated with a large common-source outbreak of ciguatera in east Arnhem Land, Australia

Nat Toxins. 1997;5(4):136-40. doi: 10.1002/1522-7189(1997)5:4<136::AID-NT2>3.0.CO;2-3.

Abstract

We report a retrospective study of the clinical signs and symptoms associated with a point-source outbreak of fish poisoning that occurred with a fish captured from the Arafura Sea, northern Australia. Twenty cases (16 Aboriginal and 4 non-Aboriginal) characteristic of ciguatera, including 4 inpatients and 16 outpatients from the Gove Hospital, were identified based on the pattern of clinical symptoms and signs after ingestion of a large coral cod from a known ciguatera-prone coral reef. In the absence of a serologic test for the victim, laboratory analysis of a 230-g sample of the coral cod (Cephalopolis miniatus), using both mouse bioassay and HPLC/mass spectometry, showed that Pacific ciguatoxin-1 was the principal toxin involved. Intravenous mannitol was administered to one patient without clear benefit. Risk factors for ciguatera poisoning are ingestion of larger portions of reef fish from ciguatera-prone areas. Despite apparent local awareness of the distribution and etiology of the disease, large common-source outbreaks of ciguatera still occur.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Animals
  • Australia / epidemiology
  • Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid
  • Ciguatera Poisoning*
  • Ciguatoxins / analysis
  • Disease Outbreaks*
  • Female
  • Fishes*
  • Foodborne Diseases / epidemiology*
  • Foodborne Diseases / etiology*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mass Spectrometry
  • Mice
  • Retrospective Studies

Substances

  • Ciguatoxins