Fish Microbiology and Quality Assurance

Unit 6 - Biological hazards in foods

6.4.3. Tetrodotoxin / pufferfish poisoning

• Puffer fish poisoning is caused due to the consumption of puffer fish (tetradon fish or fugu) which have toxic tissues or organs.
• Pufferfish toxin is thought to be produced by the symbiont bacteria (Pseudomonas) associated with the fish.
• Tetradotoxin is chemically aminoperhydroquinazoline which is similar to saxitoxin of PSP and cause symptoms similar to PSP but of varying degree.
• Only certain species of puffer fish are toxic and toxin is restricted to the skin, liver, viscera, gonads, intestine and muscle.
• Since the fugue is a delicacy in Japan, most cases of intoxication are reported from Japan with instances of death.

Symptoms
Causes neurological symptoms similar to PSP – tingling in lips and extremities, paralysis and death by respiratory arrest and/ or cardiovascular collapse. Mortality rate is high. Cardiovascular effects are more severe than PSP with high death rates.