Emerging tropical diseases in Australia. Part 2. Ciguatera fish poisoning

I Stewart; R J Lewis; G K Eaglesham; Glenn C Graham; Susan Poole; Scott B Craig

doi:10.1179/136485910X12851868779902

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Emerging tropical diseases in Australia. Part 2. Ciguatera fish poisoning

Journal article

Peer reviewed

Emerging tropical diseases in Australia. Part 2. Ciguatera fish poisoning

I Stewart, R J Lewis, G K Eaglesham, Glenn C Graham, Susan Poole and Scott B Craig

Annals of Tropical Medicine and Parasitology, Vol.104(7), pp.557-571

2010

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1179/136485910X12851868779902

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Abstract

Ciguatera poisoning

diseases

ciguatoxins

Ciguatera poisoning is a food-borne neuro-intoxication caused by consumption of finfish that have accumulated ciguatoxins in their tissues. Ciguatera is a distressing and sometimes disabling condition that presents with a selflimiting though occasionally severe gastro-intestinal illness, progressing to a suite of aberrant sensory symptoms. Recovery can take from days to years; second and subsequent attacks may manifest in a more severe illness. Ciguatera remains largely a pan-tropical disease, although tourism and export fish markets facilitate increased presentation in temperate latitudes. While ciguatera poisoning in the South Pacific was recognised and eloquently described by seafarers in the 18th Century, it remains a public-health challenge in the 21st Century because there is neither a confirmatory diagnostic test nor a reliable, low-cost screening method to ascertain the safety of suspect fish prior to consumption. A specific antidote is not available, so treatment is largely supportive. The most promising pharmacotherapy of recent decades, intravenous mannitol, has experienced a relative decline in acceptance after a randomized, double-blind trial failed to confirm its efficacy. Some questions remain unanswered, however, and the use of mannitol for the treatment of acute ciguatera poisoning arguably deserves revisiting. The immunotoxicology of ciguatera is poorly understood, and some aspects of the epidemiology and symptomatology of ciguatera warrant further enquiry.

Details

Title: Emerging tropical diseases in Australia. Part 2. Ciguatera fish poisoning
Authors: I Stewart (Author) - Queensland Health Forensics and Scientific Services
R J Lewis (Author) - Queensland Health Forensics and Scientific Services
G K Eaglesham (Author) - Queensland Health Forensics and Scientific Services
Glenn C Graham (Author) - Queensland Health Forensics and Scientific Services
Susan Poole (Author) - Queensland Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation
Scott B Craig (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - Faculty of Science, Health and Education
Publication details: Annals of Tropical Medicine and Parasitology, Vol.104(7), pp.557-571
Publisher: Maney Publishing
Date published: 2010
DOI: 10.1179/136485910X12851868779902
ISSN: 0003-4983
Organisation Unit: School of Science and Engineering - Legacy; University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; GeneCology Research Centre - Legacy
Language: English
Record Identifier: 99450267702621
Output Type: Journal article

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Collaboration types: Domestic collaboration
Web Of Science research areas: Parasitology; Public, Environmental & Occupational Health; Tropical Medicine

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