Imported tropical fish causes ciguatera fish poisoning in Germany

Zimmermann K, Eisenblätter A, Vetter I, Ebbecke M, Friedemann M, Desel H (2015)

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2015

Journal

Deutsche Medizinische Wochenschrift Georg Thieme Verlag

Book Volume: 140

Pages Range: 125-30

Journal Issue: 2

DOI: 10.1055/s-0040-100439

Abstract

Ciguatera is a seafood-borne illness caused by consumption of tropical fish contaminated with ciguatoxins, lipophilic polyethers that are produced in benthic dinoflagellates and accumulate through the marine food chain. Ciguatera cases in Europe usually occur in travellers returning from tropical and subtropical regions of the Pacific and Carribean, where ciguatera is endemic. In 2012, several cases of ciguatera occurred in Germany due to sale of contaminated fish products originating from the Indian Ocean. Although the symptomatology in these cases were typical of ciguatera, with patients reporting gastrointestinal discomfort including nausea, vomiting and diarrhea as well as neurological effects including widespread intense pruritus, paresthesias, hypothermia or altered temperature sensation and diffuse pain, correct diagnosis was delayed in all cases due to lack of awareness of the treating medical practitioners. In light of increasing global mobility, trade, and occurrence of ciguatoxic fish in previously non-endemic areas, ciguatera should be considered as a possible diagnosis if gastrointestinal and neurological symptoms occur shortly after consumption of fish.

Authors with CRIS profile

Katharina Zimmermann Heisenbergprofessur für Experimentelle Schmerzforschung Anneka Schöniger Institute of Radiology

Involved external institutions

Universitätsklinikum Göttingen DE Germany (DE) Bundesinstitut für Risikobewertung (BfR) DE Germany (DE) University of Queensland AU Australia (AU)

How to cite

APA:

Zimmermann, K., Eisenblätter, A., Vetter, I., Ebbecke, M., Friedemann, M., & Desel, H. (2015). Imported tropical fish causes ciguatera fish poisoning in Germany. Deutsche Medizinische Wochenschrift, 140(2), 125-30. https://dx.doi.org/10.1055/s-0040-100439

MLA:

Zimmermann, Katharina, et al. "Imported tropical fish causes ciguatera fish poisoning in Germany." Deutsche Medizinische Wochenschrift 140.2 (2015): 125-30.

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