Autopsy Findings in Turtle Flesh Poisoning

Abstract

There is a paucity of literature in Sri Lanka and internationally on autopsy findings of turtle flesh poisoning. Of the five varieties of endemic sea turtles in Sri Lanka, only the Hawksbill type (Eretmochelys imbricata – locally termed Pothu Kesbawa, Leli Kesbawa, Pana Kesbawa) is poisonous. Of the two cases described one is a breast-fed child of age 1 year 3 months and the other of 13 years. The younger child did not eat the flesh but was breast fed by his mother before becoming ill, but after she had eaten the flesh. The main findings are in the lungs. There is gross thickening of the alveolar septa with interstitial oedema with haemorrhage and micro-thrombi in the lumen of pulmonary arterioles. There is a remarkable lack of intra-alveolar oedema. The brain showed interstitial oedema. Myocardial fibres showed diffuse degeneration, necrosis and interstitial oedema with an acellular reaction. The toxic substance as postulated may be a component of a variety of algae present only in certain seasons.