[Poisoning after ingestion of mussels (mytilus edulis) (author's transl)]

Symptoms of poisoning occurred in 19 persons in the Rhein-Main region in October 1976, after they had eaten mussels (Mytilus edulis) imported from Vigo, Spain. Mild oral paraesthesias, tingling in the fingertips and feet were followed by generalised numbness and dizziness. All symptoms disappeared within 48 hours. They had been caused by saxitoxin which is produced by a dinoflagellate and accumulated in the mussels, as confirmed by testing confiscated samples of mussels. Toxin concentration ranged from 6000 to 20 000 MU (mice units) per 100 g mussel meat.