1. Chapter 2 The Microworld
Instructor Notes
All of the illnesses related to seafood toxins will be covered in this slideshow.

2. Major Foodborne Illnesses from Fish Toxins
Fish Toxin Illnesses
Scombroid poisoning
Ciguatera fish poisoning
Instructor Notes
Some fish toxins are a natural part of the fish. Others are made by pathogens on it. Some fish become contaminated when they eat smaller fish that have eaten a toxin. These toxins can’t be smelled or tasted. They also can’t be destroyed by freezing or cooking once they form in food.
Scombroid poisoning and ciguatera fish poisoning are two major foodborne illnesses caused by fish toxins. For each illness, you must understand the common source, food commonly linked with it, most common symptoms, and most important prevention measures.
Purchasing from approved, reputable suppliers is the most important prevention measure for these illnesses.

3. Scombroid Poisoning Illness: Scombroid poisoning Toxin: Histamine
Commonly Linked Food
Most Common Symptoms
Tuna
Initially
Bonito
Burning/tingling in mouth or throat
Mackerel
Reddening of the face and neck
Mahi mahi
Sweating
Headache
Possibly later
Diarrhea
Vomiting
Instructor Notes
The illness is pronounced: SKOM-broyd.
The toxin is pronounced: HISS-ta-meen.
Scombroid poisoning is also known as histamine poisoning. It is an illness caused by eating high levels of histamine in scombroid and other species of fish. When the fish are time-temperature abused, bacteria on the fish make the toxin. It cannot be destroyed by freezing, cooking, smoking, or curing.

4. Preventing Scombroid Poisoning
Most Important Prevention Measure
Purchase from approved, reputable suppliers
Other Prevention Measures
Prevent time-temperature abuse during storage and preparation

5. Ciguatera Fish Poisoning
Illness: Ciguatera fish poisoning Toxin: Ciguatoxin
Commonly Linked Food
Most Common Symptoms
Predatory tropical reef fish from Pacific Ocean, Western Indian Ocean, and Caribbean Sea:
Reversal of hot and cold sensations
Barracuda
Grouper
Nausea
Jacks
Snapper
Vomiting
Tingling in fingers, lips, toes
Joint and muscle pain
Instructor Notes
The illness is pronounced: SIG-wa-TAIR-uh.
The toxin is pronounced: SIG-wa-TOX-in.
Ciguatoxin is found in certain marine algae. The toxin builds up in certain fish when they eat smaller fish that have eaten the toxic algae. Ciguatoxin cannot be detected by smell or taste. Cooking or freezing the fish will not eliminate it. Symptoms may last months or years depending on how severe the illness is.

6. Preventing Ciguatera Fish Poisoning
Most Important Prevention Measure
Purchase predatory tropical reef fish from approved, reputable suppliers

7. Major Foodborne Illnesses from Shellfish Toxins
Shellfish Toxin Illnesses
Paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP)
Neurotoxic shellfish poisoning (NSP)
Amnesic shellfish poisoning (ASP)
Instructor Notes
Shellfish can be contaminated when they eat marine algae that have a toxin.
These toxins can’t be smelled or tasted. They also can’t be destroyed by freezing or cooking once they form in food.

8. Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning (PSP)
Illness: Paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP)
Toxin: Saxitoxin
Commonly Linked Food
Most Common Symptoms
Shellfish found in colder waters
such as those of the Pacific and New England coasts:
Numbness
Clams
Mussels
Tingling in mouth, face, arms, legs
Oysters
Scallops
Dizziness
Nausea
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Instructor Notes
The illness is pronounced: PAIR-ah-LIT-ik.
The toxin is pronounced: SAX-ih-TOX-in.
Some types of shellfish can become contaminated as they filter toxic algae from the water. People get sick with paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) when they eat these shellfish. Saxitoxin cannot be smelled or tasted. It is not destroyed by cooking or freezing. Death from paralysis may result if high levels of the toxin are eaten.

9. Preventing Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning (PSP)
Most Important Prevention Measure
Purchase shellfish from approved, reputable suppliers

10. Neurotoxic Shellfish Poisoning (NSP)
Illness: Neurotoxic shellfish poisoning (NSP)
Toxin: Brevetoxin
Commonly Linked Food
Most Common Symptoms
Shellfish in warmer waters of
west coast of Florida, Gulf of
Mexico, and Caribbean Sea:
Tingling and numbness in lips, tongue, throat
Clams
Dizziness
Mussels
Reversal of hot and cold sensations
Oysters
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Instructor Notes
The illness is pronounced: NUR-o-TOX-ik.
The toxin is pronounced: BREV-ih-TOX-in.
Some types of shellfish can become contaminated as they filter toxic algae from the water. People get sick with neurotoxic shellfish poisoning (NSP) when they eat these shellfish. Brevetoxin cannot be smelled or tasted. It is not destroyed by cooking or freezing.

11. Preventing Neurotoxic Shellfish Poisoning (NSP)
Most Important Prevention Measure
Purchase shellfish from approved, reputable suppliers

12. Amnesic Shellfish Poisoning (ASP)
Illness: Amnesic shellfish poisoning (ASP)
Toxin: Domoic acid
Commonly Linked Food
Most Common Symptoms
Shellfish found in coastal
waters of Pacific Northwest
and east coast of Canada:
Initially
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Abdominal pain
Clams
Mussels
Oysters
Scallops
Possibly later
Confusion
Memory loss
Disorientation
Seizure
Coma
Instructor Notes
The illness is pronounced: am-NEE-zik.
The toxin is pronounced: duh-MO-ik.
Some types of shellfish can become contaminated as they filter toxic algae from the water. People get sick with amnesic shellfish poisoning (ASP) when they eat these shellfish. The severity of symptoms depends on the amount of toxin eaten and the health of the person. Domoic acid cannot be smelled or tasted. It is not destroyed by cooking or freezing.

13. Preventing Amnesic Shellfish Poisoning (ASP)
Most Important Prevention Measure
Purchase shellfish from approved, reputable suppliers