Tetrodotoxin Poisoning in Mainland France and French Overseas Territories: A Review of Published and Unpublished Cases

Abstract

Tetrodotoxin is one of the most potent neurotoxins in the aquatic world. This review of published and unpublished reports aims to describe the poisoning cases that have occurred in mainland France and overseas territories. Six articles were included, with 13 poisoning events, individuals or collective (number (n) = 53 patients). Moreover, 13 unpublished poisoning events from toxicovigilance networks were found (n = 17). All cases happened in overseas territories: French Guyana (n = 7), New Caledonia (n = 11), Reunion (n = 35) and French Polynesia (n = 17). The median age was 36 years. The most frequent signs were neurological (81.8%), digestive (54.5%) and general (52.3%). Three cases of dysgueusia and nine cases of urogenital discomfort were observed in French Polynesia. Twelve severe cases were reported, including seven deaths. Only three events (11.5%) were documented by a tetrodotoxin assay. Two families of fish accounted for 91.6% of the poisonings: 33.3% due to the Diodontidae family and 58.3% to the Tetraodontidae family. Although rare, information and collection campaigns on tetrodotoxin poisoning are, therefore, essential.

Food-Borne Biotoxin Neutralization in Vivo by Nanobodies: Current Status and Prospects

“…Many cases of tetrodotoxin poisoning due to consumption of contaminated seafood were reported every year, which had seriously affected people's health. 111,112 To date, no specific antidote has been discovered. Capable of neutralizing tetrodotoxin have been successfully developed.…”

“…It is capable of paralyzing human muscles and nerves, making it one of the world’s deadliest poisons. Many cases of tetrodotoxin poisoning due to consumption of contaminated seafood were reported every year, which had seriously affected people’s health. , To date, no specific antidote has been discovered. Capable of neutralizing tetrodotoxin have been successfully developed. , Furthermore, the corresponding scFv has also been developed and it has a certain neutralization ability to neutralize the biological activity of tetrodotoxin, being confirmed through bioassays conducted in mice .…”

Panorama des pathologies infectieuses et non infectieuses de Guyane en 2022

“…Cette intoxication n'est pas rapportée en Guyane. En revanche, quelques cas de tétrodotoxisme ont été signalés de façon sporadique, principalement liés à la consommation de poissons de mer de la famille des Tetraodontidae (par ex: poisson-globe) et Diodontidae (par ex: poisson porc-épic) [ 149 ] (Fig. 57 ).…”

Tetrodotoxin and Its Analogues in Food: Recent Updates on Sample Preparation and Analytical Methods Since 2012

“…In fact, the occurrence of TTX was mainly limited to the warm waters of Southeast Asia before 2005 . However, TTX has spread to other regions (e.g., Mediterranean Sea and Atlantic Ocean) since 2005, which may be due to the effect of global warming, Lessepsian migration, and/or ballast water discharge. − TTX intoxication cases have been more frequently reported in European countries; for example, a total of 26 poisoning events (70 patients) have occurred in Mainland France and French overseas territories . Hence, to minimize the poisoning risk, there is a need for a simple, fast, cost-effective method to detect or confirm TTX and its analogues in food samples.…”

“…13−16 TTX intoxication cases have been more frequently reported in European countries; for example, a total of 26 poisoning events (70 patients) have occurred in Mainland France and French overseas territories. 17 Hence, to minimize the poisoning risk, there is a need for a simple, fast, cost-effective method to detect or confirm TTX and its analogues in food samples. The structures of these compounds are shown in Figure S1.…”