마비성 패류중독 3례 = Three Cases of Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning

다국어 초록 (Multilingual Abstract)

Paralytic shellfish poisoning is an acute paralytic illness which follows ingestion of mussels and other shellfish contaminated by saxitoxin and other structually related toxins of dinoflagellates belonging to the species Alexandrium (previously known as Gonyaulax). Saxitoxin, an endotoxin produced by dinoflagellates, is probably the most important among the various known toxins, and acts by blocking the passage of sodium ions through the sodium channels of susceptible cell membranes. Outbreaks of poisoning have occurred in a wide variety of countries bordering on the Atlantic and Pacific oceans.
Three cases of paralytic shellfish poisoning after ingestion of mussels occurred in Pusan during May to June 1996. The clinical manifestations were unique and included numbness of the lips, tongue, fingertips and toes within hours of ingestion of the poisoned shellfish, then numbness of the legs and arms, with dizziness, nausea and general muscular weakness. Treatment was symptomatic, and complete recovery occurred.