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Revista Cubana de Higiene y Epidemiología

Print version ISSN 0253-1751On-line version ISSN 1561-3003

Abstract

MAYA ENTENZA, Carlos Manuel; MARTIN LABRADOR, Miladys  and  MONTEAGUDO TORRES, Marisol. Ciguatera poisoning: Study of 277 patients in the 1999-2005 period. Rev Cubana Hig Epidemiol [online]. 2007, vol.45, n.2. ISSN 0253-1751.

Ciguatera is food poisoning caused by ingestion of ciguatoxic fish whose effects on the human beings could be severe and lead to death. The main epidemilogical, clinical and therapeutical characteristics in patients with ciguatera were described. The research covered 227 patients with ciguatera, who were prospectively studied at “Comandante Manuel Fajardo” clinical-surgical university hospital from 1999 to 2005. For sample collection, a survey was administered to gather demographic data, personal identity, clinical manifestations, treatment and the species causing the poisoning. It was found that the incidence of patients with ciguatera going to the hospital in the last three years had significantly increased. April to September was the most incidental period of the disease. Females predominated, the 21-50 years age group was the most affected and the average age of patients was 39,2±10 years. Barracuda and “gallego” were the main responsible for poisoning in 74 and 38 patients respectively. Seventy three poisoned persons did not know the fish species that they had eaten. The most frequent symptoms were muscular fatigue, gastrointestinal disorders and sensitive manifestations. On physical exam, the most common findings were sensitive manifestations, dehydration signs and muscle weakening. The lenght of time from fish ingestion to the onset of poisoning clinical picture was 12 hours or less in 70,8 % of cases. The most used drugs were antiemetics, vitamins, antihystamines and 20 % manitol, being the latter the only therapy capable of reversing symptoms in patients with ciguatera.

Keywords : Antihystamines; headache; ciguatera; ciguatoxins; poisoing; manitol..

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