A case of histamine fish poisoning in a young atopic woman

J Gen Intern Med. 2012 Jul;27(7):878-81. doi: 10.1007/s11606-012-1996-6. Epub 2012 Jan 31.

Abstract

Histamine fish poisoning, also known as scombroid poisoning, is a histamine toxicity syndrome that results from eating specific types of spoiled fish. Although typically a benign syndrome, characterized by self-limited flushing, headache, and gastrointestinal symptoms, we describe a case unique in its severity and as a precipitant of an asthma exacerbation. A 25-year-old woman presented to the emergency department (ED) with one hour of tongue and face swelling, an erythematous pruritic rash, and dyspnea with wheezing after consuming a tuna sandwich. She developed abdominal pain, diarrhea and hypotension in the ED requiring admission to the hospital. A diagnosis of histamine fish poisoning was made and the patient was treated supportively and discharged within 24 hours, but was readmitted within 3 hours due to an asthma exacerbation. Her course was complicated by recurrent admissions for asthma exacerbations.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Animals
  • Asthma / etiology
  • Female
  • Food Contamination
  • Foodborne Diseases / diagnosis
  • Foodborne Diseases / etiology*
  • Histamine / poisoning*
  • Humans
  • Hypersensitivity, Immediate / complications*
  • Marine Toxins / poisoning
  • Seafood / poisoning*
  • Tuna*

Substances

  • Marine Toxins
  • scombrotoxin
  • Histamine