Shellfish Poisoning Research Paper

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Fish and shellfish are a staple food source for many Americans. Seafood contains quality protein, omega-3 fatty acids, and other essential nutrients for a healthy diet. The average American consumes approximately 13 grams of fish or shellfish per day, which is the equivalent of 3 ounces per week (Environmental Protection Agency [EPA], 2008). Tribal and ethnic populations who fish for subsistence within the United States consume considerably more fish and shellfish than the average American. Americans consume fish and shellfish that are caught in rivers, lakes, estuaries, and deep ocean fisheries, as well as farmed fish and shellfish within the United States (EPA, 2008). Currently, the United States imports approximately 90 percent of …show more content…
One of the first documented cases of paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) was in June 1793 when Captain George Vancouver of the British Royal Navy documented a fatal outbreak of paralytic shellfish poisoning among his crew (Acres & Gray, 1978). Hundreds of years later, paralytic shellfish poisoning is still widely studied. There is a greater understanding of PSP itself, as well as the toxins involved in PSP, including the mechanism of action, and their toxic effects on humans. The objective of this paper is to briefly introduce PSP, discuss the main toxin involved in PSP, the mechanism of action, and the effects on the human …show more content…
However, this is an under estimation because marine toxin poisoning is not a reportable illness. The most recent cases of PSP have occurred along the northeast Atlantic coast, northwest Pacific coast, and Alaska. Most of these cases involve recreational shellfish collectors, not commercial vendors. Since 1927, a total of 500 cases of PSP and 30 deaths have been reported in California (CDC, 2005). The CDC estimates that one person dies every four years from toxic seafood poisoning (2005). Shellfish poisoning occurs sporadically and continuously along the Gulf coast, spanning from Florida to Texas. In May 2002, there were 13 confirmed cases of saxitoxin poisonings in Florida from residents who ate puffer fish caught in Florida (Arnold, 2013). In 2008, Kellmann et al., reported nearly 2,000 cases of PSP nationally and a 15 percent human mortality rate. The 2009 Annual Report of the American Association of Poison Control Centers' National Poison Data System documented 136 cases of PSP (Bronstein, Spyker, Cantilena, Green, Rumack, & Giffin, 2010); however, no deaths occurred. The differences in reporting may be due to the difficulty identifying saxitoxin poisonings in humans. PSP is the most severe of the marine toxin poisonings and has the highest mortality rate. Paralytic shellfish poisoning has a high mortality rate mainly because of poor access to advanced supportive
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