BACKGROUND: Ciguatera is a disease caused by the ingestion of fish containing the toxins of Gambierdiscus toxicus. This dinoflagellate is frequently found in damaged coral reef systems. Previously rare in Europe, this disease entity is now seen in tourists returning from tropical countries. CASE SERIES: Eighteen patients were examined between 1997 and 2002. Nine poisonings occurred in Atlantic Ocean islands, eight in Pacific Ocean islands, and one in the Egyptian Red Sea coast. Gastrointestinal signs were always present in the Atlantic areas, but were less severe or absent in the Pacific areas. All patients had sensory disturbances, and two of them had motor disturbances affecting the respiratory muscles and leading to the death of a 73-year-old man in Cuba. The 17 surviving patients returned to France and for 2 to 18 months suffered from arthralgias, myalgias, or pruritus. CONCLUSION: Ciguatera is a newly imported intoxication in Europe. As the number of international tourists grows each year, this type of poisoning will be seen more frequently. Furthermore, as the condition of coral reefs declines around the world and the prevalence of G. toxicus increases, physicians in non-tropical countries should be prepared to manage such poisoned patients.
BACKGROUND: Ciguatera is a disease caused by the ingestion of fish containing the toxins of Gambierdiscus toxicus. This dinoflagellate is frequently found in damaged coral reef systems. Previously rare in Europe, this disease entity is now seen in tourists returning from tropical countries. CASE SERIES: Eighteen patients were examined between 1997 and 2002. Nine poisonings occurred in Atlantic Ocean islands, eight in Pacific Ocean islands, and one in the Egyptian Red Sea coast. Gastrointestinal signs were always present in the Atlantic areas, but were less severe or absent in the Pacific areas. All patients had sensory disturbances, and two of them had motor disturbances affecting the respiratory muscles and leading to the death of a 73-year-old man in Cuba. The 17 surviving patients returned to France and for 2 to 18 months suffered from arthralgias, myalgias, or pruritus. CONCLUSION: Ciguatera is a newly imported intoxication in Europe. As the number of international tourists grows each year, this type of poisoning will be seen more frequently. Furthermore, as the condition of coral reefs declines around the world and the prevalence of G. toxicus increases, physicians in non-tropical countries should be prepared to manage such poisoned patients.
Authors: Elizabeth M Begier; Lorraine C Backer; Richard S Weisman; Roberta M Hammond; Lora E Fleming; Donna Blythe Journal: Public Health Rep Date: 2006 Nov-Dec Impact factor: 2.792
Authors: Amandine Caillaud; Pablo de la Iglesia; H Taiana Darius; Serge Pauillac; Katerina Aligizaki; Santiago Fraga; Mireille Chinain; Jorge Diogène Journal: Mar Drugs Date: 2010-06-14 Impact factor: 5.118
Authors: Michaela E Larsson; Olivier F Laczka; D Tim Harwood; Richard J Lewis; S W A Himaya; Shauna A Murray; Martina A Doblin Journal: Mar Drugs Date: 2018-01-01 Impact factor: 5.118