Beware Of These 4 Types Of Shellfish Poisoning

kelolalaut.com - Shellfish poisoning is caused by eating contaminated shellfish. Shellfish poisoning itself is classified into several types according to the type and source of the poison. The following are some types of shellfish poisoning:

1.    Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning (PSP) 
PFP is a type of shellfish poisoning caused by the consumption of shellfish contaminated with toxins produced by certain species of marine dinoflagellates, such as Alexandrium spp. and Gymnodinium catenatum.

These toxins, known as saxitoxins, are potent neurotoxins that can cause paralysis of the respiratory system, resulting in death in severe cases. The symptoms of PSP typically appear within 30 minutes to a few hours after ingestion of contaminated shellfish, and may include numbness and tingling of the mouth and extremities, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. In severe cases, respiratory paralysis and death may occur.

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2.    Amnesic Shellfish Poisoning (ASP) 
ASP is a type of shellfish poisoning caused by the consumption of shellfish contaminated with domoic acid, a toxin produced by certain species of diatoms.

Domoic acid is a potent neurotoxin that can cause damage to the hippocampus, a part of the brain that is involved in memory and learning. The symptoms of ASP typically appear within 24 hours to several days after ingestion of contaminated shellfish, and may include gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, as well as neurological symptoms such as headache, dizziness, confusion, seizures, and in severe cases, coma and permanent brain damage.

3.    Diarrhetic Shellfish Poisoning (DSP)
DFP is a type of shellfish poisoning caused by the consumption of shellfish contaminated with toxins produced by certain species of marine dinoflagellates, such as Dinophysis spp.

These toxins, known as okadaic acid and its derivatives, are potent gastrointestinal toxins that can cause diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and other gastrointestinal symptoms. The symptoms of DSP typically appear within a few hours to several days after ingestion of contaminated shellfish and may last for several days.

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4.    Neurotoxic Shellfish Poisoning (NSP)
NSP is a type of shellfish poisoning caused by the consumption of shellfish contaminated with toxins produced by certain species of marine dinoflagellates, such as Karenia brevis.

These toxins, known as brevetoxins, are potent neurotoxins that can cause neurological symptoms such as tingling, numbness, and dizziness. The symptoms of NSP typically appear within a few hours to a day after ingestion of contaminated shellfish and may include headache, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.

To prevent shellfish poisoning, it is important to only consume shellfish that have been harvested from areas that have been tested and deemed safe for human consumption. Cooking or freezing does not destroy the toxin, so these methods are not effective for removing the toxin from contaminated shellfish.

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