Clinical and epidemiological study of 27 poisonings caused by ingesting puffer fish (Tetrodontidae) in the states of Santa Catarina and Bahia, Brazil Estudo clinico-epidemiológico de 27 envenenamentos causados pela ingestão de baiacus (Tetrodontidae) nos estados de Santa Catarina e Bahia, Brasil

• Main Authors: Claudia Carvalho Pestana Silva, Marlene Zannin, Daisy Schwab Rodrigues, Claudia Regina dos Santos, Ieda Ana Correa, Vidal Haddad Junior
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Universidade de São Paulo 2010-02-01
• Series: Revista do Instituto de Medicina Tropical de São Paulo
• Subjects: Puffer fish; Tetrodotoxin; Poisonous fish; Saxitoxin; Human poisoning
• Online Access: http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0036-46652010000100009

Puffer fish can be poisonous due to the presence of the potent neurotoxins such as Tetrodotoxin (TTX) and Saxitoxin (STX) found in its tissues. The authors report 27 human poisonings from ingestion of puffer fish in patients treated at Toxicology Centers in the states of Santa Catarina and Bahia, Brazil, between 1984 and January 2009. Poisonings were classified as moderate (52%) and severe (33%), two deaths were observed. Early diagnosis is very important to ensure respiratory support.<br>Os baiacus ou peixes-bola podem ser venenosos devido à presença em seus tecidos corporais de Tetrodotoxina e/ou Saxitoxina, ambas potentes neurotoxinas. Os autores relatam 27 envenenamentos por ingestão da carne de baiacus. Os pacientes foram atendidos nos Centros de Toxicologia de Santa Catarina e da Bahia de 1984 a 2009. Os acidentes foram classificados em moderados (52%) e graves (33%), havendo dois óbitos. O diagnóstico precoce é fundamental no sentido de garantir suporte ventilatório aos pacientes.