Poisoning with weever fish venom: a case report
Łopaciński, B.; Bak, M.; Fiszer, M.; Czerniak, Pł.; Krakowiak, A.
Przeglad Lekarski 66(8): 464-465
2009
ISSN/ISBN: 0033-2240 PMID: 20043595 Document Number: 631818
Poland's access to the EU causes that there is the risk of poisoning from sources outside Poland. This is confirmed by the case reported below. The Weeverfish Trachinus draco lives in the coastal waters of West Africa and Europe (including those of the Mediterranean Sea) and belongs to the most poisonous fish species. The venom of Trachinus draco contains proteins that cause cellular membrane depolarisation, and haemolysis. A 35-yr. man was admitted to the Toxicological Department of the Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine for symptoms, such as: a strong pain, swelling and reddening of the left leg, that had appeared after contact with an unidentified fish when he had been enjoying a bath in the Mediterranean Sea. In the additional examinations, slight abnormalities were detected only in the results of blood agglutination test. The patient was discharged from the hospital 7 days later in good condition.