palytoxin and Poisoning

Fatal cases of exposure to paralytic shellfish toxins and palytoxins have occurred in companion animals but are poorly described.. We describe one case of paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) and three cases of palytoxin poisoning in dogs.. Mild PSP occurred following ingestion of crab while walking on a beach. Analysis confirmed the presence of paralytic shellfish toxins, particularly decarbamoyl saxitoxin, in clinical samples and marine organisms. This case occurred shortly after an outbreak of PSP in dogs on the eastern coast of England. Palytoxin poisoning occurred in a dog after it chewed coral removed from an aquarium. Signs included collapse, hypothermia, bloody diarrhoea and respiratory distress. The dog was euthanised due to rapid deterioration and poor prognosis. Palytoxin was not detected in a premortem blood sample. Two other dogs in a separate incident developed only mild signs (fever and respiratory distress) after suspected exposure to aerosolised palytoxin and recovered within a few hours.. Cases of PSP are episodic and not common in dogs. Cases of palytoxin exposure are reportedly increasing in humans, and there is presumably also an increased risk to pets. There is no specific treatment for PSP or palytoxin poisoning.

Topics: Acrylamides; Animals; Cnidarian Venoms; Dog Diseases; Dogs; England; Euthanasia, Animal; Female; Male; Poisoning; Shellfish Poisoning

Palytoxin, produced by unicellular microalgae, is one of the most potent toxins known. Human exposure results most prominently through oral, dermal, and inhalational contact. There is no current data on the prevalence of cases in the United States.. This study reviewed human inhalational and dermal exposures to palytoxin via records from the National Poison Data System from 2000 to 2014.. There were 171 cases reported, the majority occurred at a residence and experienced minor respiratory or dermal symptoms and recovered without any major sequelae or fatalities. Ten patients required admission to an intensive care unit.. The incidence of palytoxin exposure is low but significant symptoms can occur.

Topics: Acrylamides; Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Child; Child, Preschool; Cnidarian Venoms; Databases, Factual; Female; Humans; Infant; Inhalation Exposure; Male; Middle Aged; Poison Control Centers; Poisoning; Prevalence; Skin Absorption; United States; Young Adult

A case of human poisoning by palytoxin after contact with zoanthid corals (Parazoanthus sp.) in an aquarium through skin injuries on fingers is reported. The clinical symptoms include swelling, paraesthesia and numbness around the site of the injury spreading over the arm, but also signs of systemic poisoning such as dizziness, general weakness and myalgia, irregularities in the ECG and indications of rhabdomyolysis. Symptomatic treatment consisted of infusion of physiological fluids. The patient recovered within 3 days. Analysis of the zoanthid coral involved revealed extremely high concentrations of palytoxin (between 2 and 3 mg/g).

Topics: Acrylamides; Adult; Animals; Anthozoa; Cnidarian Venoms; Humans; Male; Poisoning; Skin

Topics: Acrylamides; Adrenalectomy; Animals; Blood Pressure; Cnidaria; Cnidarian Venoms; Dogs; Electrocardiography; Guinea Pigs; Haplorhini; Heart Rate; Hydrocortisone; Isosorbide Dinitrate; Lethal Dose 50; Macaca mulatta; Marine Toxins; Mice; Papaverine; Poisoning; Rabbits; Rats; Respiration; Species Specificity; Time Factors