Abstract
Consumption of shellfish is common in Hong Kong. However, some shellfish contain toxins which when ingested may lead to fatal toxicity. We report a case of paralytic shellfish poisoning presenting with throat discomfort progressing to respiratory distress and requiring intubation and mechanical ventilation. The patient recovered and was discharged 10 days after admission with no further complication.
References
1.
Chan
T.Y.
Shellfish-borne illnesses. A Hong Kong perspective. Trop Geogr Med 1995 ; 47 (6 ): 305 –7 .
2.
Morse
E.V.
Paralytic shellfish poisoning: a review. J Am Vet Med Assoc 1977 ; 171 (11 ): 1178 –80 .
3.
Sanders
W.E.
Jr
Intoxications from the seas: ciguatera, scombroid, and paralytic shellfish poisoning. Infect Dis Clin North Am 1987 ; 1 (3 ): 665 –76 .
4.
Hughes
J.M.
,
Merson
M.H.
,
Gangarosa
E.J.
The safety of eating shellfish. JAMA 1977 ; 237 (18 ): 1980 –1 .
5.
Acres
J.
,
Gray
J.
Paralytic shellfish poisoning. Can Med Assoc J 1978 ; 119 (10 ): 1195 –7 .
6.
Montebruno
D.
Paralytic shellfish poisoning in Chile. Med Sci Law 1993 ; 33 (3 ): 243 –6 .
7.
Willis
G.
,
Wright
J.
Paralytic shellfish poisoning. Vancouver BC Med J 1980 : 22 .
8.
Trevino
S.
Fish and shellfish poisoning. Clin Lab Sci. 1998 ; 11 (5 ): 309 –14 .
9.Paralytic shellfish poisoning-Massachusetts and Alaska. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 1990 ; 40 (10 ): 157 –61 .
