What is Ciguatera?
Ciguatera is a unique type of food poisoning caused by the consumption of marine species that harbor natural toxins originating in certain tropical waters. These species and locations are linked by a food chain, which generates and accumulates a heat-resistant, acid-stable collection of toxic substances known as ciguatoxin. The initial culprits are certain species of microplankton or dinoflagellates that form the toxins that higher-order predators and man consume. These natural toxins can concentrate as they move up the food chain, but their adverse effects appear limited to man. Ciguatera illness generally occurs in the tropical regions of the world. Occurrence in the United States has remained somewhat constant during the past two decades, but expanding distribution of tropical fishes and increasing vacation travel could pose additional threats. Presently, ciguatera is relatively limited in the United States and occurs less often than many common food bacterial poisonings, but it sti
