Scombroid food poisoning
Scombroid food poisoning | |
---|---|
Other names | Scombrotoxin fish poisoning, scombroid syndrome, |
Frequency | Relatively common[2] |
Deaths | Very rare[3] |
Scombroid food poisoning, also known as simply scombroid, is a
Scombroid occurs from eating fish high in
Prevention is by refrigerating or freezing fish right after it is caught.
Signs and symptoms
Symptoms typically occur within 10–30 minutes of ingesting the fish and generally are self-limited. People with
Initial
The first signs of poisoning suggest an allergic reaction with these symptoms:
- facial flushing/sweating
- burning-peppery taste sensations in the mouth and throat
- dizziness
- nausea
- headache
- tachycardia
- cold-like symptoms
Additional symptoms
The above symptoms can advance to:
- facial rash (intense itching may accompany the rash)
- torso or body rash: The rash associated with scombroid poisoning is a form of urticaria, but most commonly does not include wheals (patchy areas of skin-swelling also known as hives) that may be seen in true allergies.[7]
- edema (generalized if it occurs at all)
- short-term diarrhea
- abdominal cramps
Severe
In the worst cases, the poisoning may cause:
- blurred vision
- respiratory distress
- swelling of the tongue
In rare cases, the poisoning may result in death.
Causes
Unlike many types of food poisoning, scombroid form is not brought about by ingestion of a
Diagnosis
Differentiating scombroid from a fish allergy can be difficult, as both present with similar symptoms.[1] In scombroid, blood tryptase is generally normal, while in an allergic reaction, it is elevated.[1]
Prevention
Cooking, smoking, canning, or freezing will not destroy histamine in contaminated fish.[2] Antihistamines may also be taken before eating seafood.[3]
Treatment
Treatment is in the form of supportive care. If light-headedness occurs, a person should lie with feet partly elevated.
Epidemiology
Isolated reports of scombroid food poisoning in humans caused by histamine present in the tissues of stale or rotten scombroid fish, usually tuna, have occurred over the years. In September 2016, authorities in Singapore intercepted canned tuna imported from Thailand after finding high levels of histamine.
History
The syndrome is named after the fish family Scombridae, which includes mackerels, tunas, and bonitos, because early descriptions of the illness noted an association with those species, although nonscombroid fish such as mahi-mahi and amberjack may also cause the condition.[citation needed]
References
- ^ S2CID 21610715.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z "Food Poisoning from Marine Toxins - Chapter 2 - 2018 Yellow Book". CDC. 2017. Retrieved 1 June 2018. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
- ^ S2CID 34835091.
- ^ Nutrition, Center for Food Safety and Applied (2022-01-21). "Scombrotoxin Poisoning and Decomposition". FDA.
- ^ a b "Scombroid Fish Poisoning". www.cdph.ca.gov. Retrieved 2023-07-25.
- ^ Nikov, Dim (2023-07-24). "Why Does Tuna Hurt My Stomach?". Home Cook World. Retrieved 2023-07-25.
- ^ "Scombroid fish poisoning". DermNet New Zealand Trust. 15 December 2014.
- PMID 10485519. Archived from the original on October 7, 2008. Retrieved 2008-08-12.)
{{cite journal}}
: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link - ^ Benner, Ronald A. "Scombrotoxin". Bad Bug Book: Foodborne Pathogenic Microorganisms and Natural Toxins (PDF). U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
- ^ Otwell, W. Steven (2015-06-24). "Scombrotoxin Poisoning and Decomposition". U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Retrieved 2016-09-23.
- ISBN 978-1-4379-8746-1.
- ^ "Scombroid fish poisoning - Singapore: ex Thailand, canned tuna, recall, RFI 2016-09-21 21:37:42". www.promedmail.org. International Society for Infectious Diseases. Retrieved 28 September 2016.
- ^ "26 People Were Poisoned Because of Eating Stale Mackerel | Shenzhen Post". Archived from the original on 2 October 2016. Retrieved 28 September 2016.
- ^ "013-04-05 23:00:36 Scombroid fish poisoning - UK (Scotland) tuna sandwiches". www.promedmail.org. Retrieved 28 September 2016.
- ^ "2011-10-22 16:44:38 Scombroid poisoning, tuna - Sweden: (Stockholm) restaurant". www.promedmail.org. International Society for Infectious Diseases.
- PMID 4406515.
External links
- Seafood Network Information Center Archived 2007-02-06 at the Wayback Machine
- Center for Disease Control: Food Poisonings from Marine Toxins
- DermNet reactions/scombroid