Catfish envenomation

Abstract

There are over 1000 species of fresh and saltwater catfish worldwide, many of them venomous. Toxicity results from both the classically described venom, delivered when a spine punctures the victim, and a more recently elucidated skin toxin found over the entire surface of the catfish. Although systemic sequelae including death have been reported, symptoms are usually limited to the involved extremity and respond within hours to supportive therapy. We report a case of toxicity resulting from occupational exposure to the coral catfish, Plotatus lineatus.