Mwandishi:
ULY CLINIC
Mhariri:
ULY CLINIC
Imeboreshwa:
20 Oktoba 2026, 15:06:27
Shellfish Poisoning Management
Shellfish poisoning occurs when people eat contaminated oysters, clams, scallops or mussels. There are four groups, by toxin.
Types and clinical presentation of shellfish poisoning
Type | Toxin | Clinical features |
Amnesic shellfish poisoning (ASP) | Domoic acid | Permanent short-term memory loss, brain damage, death |
Diarrhoeal shellfish poisoning (DSP) | Okadaic acid, azaspiracid | Diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting |
Neurotoxic shellfish poisoning (NSP) | Brevetoxins | Slurred speech, nausea, vomiting |
Paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) | Saxitoxin, neosaxitoxin, gonyautoxins I–IV | Paraesthesia, loss of coordination, speech defects, nausea, vomiting, death |
Non-pharmacological management
Oral activated charcoal for patients seen early after eating large amounts.
Resuscitation and stabilisation: airway, breathing and circulation first.
Pharmacological management
There is no specific antidote.
Dehydration: A: ORS PO for mild dehydration; A: sodium chloride 0.9% or Ringer's lactate IV for moderate to severe dehydration.
Nausea or vomiting: D: ondansetron 4–8 mg IV/PO every 8 hours as needed, OR B: metoclopramide 10 mg IV/PO every 8 hours as needed.
Severe respiratory paralysis may need mechanical ventilation and ICU care.