Two Cases of Rhabdomyolysis (Haff Disease) After Eating Carp Fish

Area of Science:

• Toxicology
• Environmental Health
• Neurology

Background:

• Haff disease is a rare, unexplained condition characterized by rhabdomyolysis following fish consumption.
• Previous cases in the United States have primarily been associated with consuming buffalo fish or crawfish.
• The causative agent for Haff disease remains unidentified.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report two novel cases of Haff disease.
• To investigate the consumption of grass carp as a potential cause of Haff disease.
• To expand the understanding of fish-borne toxins implicated in rhabdomyolysis.

Main Methods:

• Clinical case reporting of two patients diagnosed with Haff disease.
• Review of patient history, focusing on dietary intake, specifically fish consumption.
• Analysis of clinical presentation and diagnostic findings consistent with rhabdomyolysis.

Main Results:

• Both patients developed unexplained rhabdomyolysis after consuming grass carp.
• This contrasts with the typical association of Haff disease with buffalo fish or crawfish.
• Clinical symptoms and laboratory findings confirmed the diagnosis of rhabdomyolysis in both cases.

Conclusions:

• Grass carp consumption should be considered a potential cause of Haff disease.
• This finding broadens the spectrum of fish implicated in toxic rhabdomyolysis.
• Further research is needed to identify the specific toxin in grass carp responsible for Haff disease.