11-04-2006, 03:54 PM
#122245
dolly123 - 09/28/06 11:04
This is the first time i read of them/came across them, so am passing it along as items of interest!!
Does this kind of stuff come up in exams?
scombroid poisoning: seen with consumption of tuna, dolphin, mackerel, and mahi-mahi.
It is caused by the overgrowth of bacteria on improperly preserved fish. These bacteria produce histidine. When ingested, patients experience histamine-type allergic reactions, including flushing, pruritus, urticaria, and nonspecific gastrointestinal symptoms, usually within 5 minutes to 1 hour of ingestion. More severe cases can cause bronchospasm, angioedema, and possible respiratory compromise. Treatment is adequate resuscitation; pharmacologic treatments include antihistamines and epinephrine if necessary.
Ciguatera poisoning : is the most common nonbacterial food poisoning associated with fish in the United States. Of reported cases, 75% (except in Hawaii) involve barracuda, snapper, jack, or grouper. The onset of symptoms may come within 15 to 30 minutes of ingestion and typically takes place within 1 to 3 hours. Symptoms then increase in severity over the ensuing 4 to 6 hours. The more than 150 symptoms reported include abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, chills, paresthesias, pruritus, visual blurring maculopapular rash, skin vesciculations, dermatographism, sialorrhea, diaphoresis, headache, arthralgias, myalgias, insomnia, bradycardia, hypotension, central respiratory failure, and coma. Death is rare.
Paraquat poisoning :usually seen in patients who work on landscapes that use paraquat as an herbicide. Ingestions are highly corrosive to all tissues; paraquat also causes progressive pulmonary fibrosis. This constellation of symptoms does not seem to be present in this patient.
Saxitoxin : the toxin found in shellfish that ingest particular dinoflagellates. The toxin affects neuronal transmission, leading to symptoms of cranial nerve dysfunction and muscle weakness, not present in this patient. These patients are also at high risk for respiratory failure.
Tetrodotoxin : the toxin expressed by the puffer fish, a fish considered to be a delicacy in some Eastern Asian countries. Symptoms include perioral numbness, increasing neurologic dysfunction, and eventual respiratory arrest secondary to profound muscle weakness.
FOOD POISONING
STAPH-pastries
CAMPYLO-undercooked poultry
EHEC-undercooked beef
SHIGELLA-daycare n institutns