| Ciguatera poisoning (CP) is reported in historical documents of the sixteenth century. The first report of the organism Gambierdiscus (originally referred to as Goniodoma sp.) dates from October 1948, in Cabo Verde. Today, the term ciguatera identifies poisoning caused by the ingestion of certain reef fish and shellfish from tropical and subtropical regions, especially the South Pacific Ocean, Indian Ocean and the Caribbean Sea. Through the food chain, these fish and shellfish have accumulated certain lipid‑soluble toxins (ciguatoxins [CTXs]) that are produced by dinoflagellates of the genera Gambierdiscus and Fukuyoa. Ciguatera is a worldwide problem that is expanding due, among other reasons, to climate change. In general, CP can be regarded as the most... |
