[Incidence and clinical aspects of scombroid fish poisoning]

An impressive case of scombroid-fish poisoning in a 34-year-old woman prompted us to investigate the incidence, clinical findings and follow-up of this disease, the syndrome of which resembles histamine intoxication. In 25 years (1966-1991) a total of 76 incidents after intake of tuna fish were reported to Swiss Toxicological Information Centre. 27 reports came from physicians, and of these 18 fulfilled the criteria of scombroid-fish poisoning. Thus, this intoxication occurs rarely in Switzerland. The symptoms in 31 well documented cases are described. Most patients had erythema (87%), half complained of headache and one third had gastrointestinal symptoms. The clinical course was benign in all patients, and the symptoms had disappeared after a mean period of 8 hours.