How to detect ciguatera fish poisoning?
Determinations for ciguatera are usually limited to symptomatic diagnoses. Clinical symptoms vary widely but are characterized by gastrointestinal, neurological and cardiovascular disturbances often within 10 min but also up to 24 h after ingestion of toxic fish. The initial symptoms are similar to any other food poisoning (abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea). The most common neurological symptoms are tingling and numbness in the mouth and the extremities, muscle cramping and sensation of temperature reversal (a sensory inversion whereby hot or warm objects feel cold and cold objects may feel warm). Other symptoms include headache, vertigo, hallucinations, salivation, and perspiration. Hallucinations seem to be more often reported in cases in the western Indian Ocean than from other part of the world. The disease is generally non-fatal and of short duration. However, in a few severe cases, symptoms can persist for months or even years. Detection for ciguatera requires specia
