engleski

Occupational histamine poisoning fromfish flour : a case report

Histamine poisoning due to inhalation and skin contact with fish products is rarely described in the literature. The well known and described term “scombrotoxism” is related to histamine poisoning after ingestion of spoiled scombroid fish. This study presents a case of occupational histamine poisoning from spoiled fish flour via inhalation, skin and eye contact. Shipment of fish flour transported in “black” or “blue” bags, depending on the source were handled by 20 harbour workers. Personal protective equipment was inadequatly used due to weather conditions. Ten workers handling “blue” bags developed within 30 minutes typical symptoms of histamine poisoning (allergy-like symptoms) : skin and eye itching, rash, lacrimation, conjuctival injection, nausea, vomiting, dyspnea, wheezing. Workers handling “black” bags were symptom-free, except for minimal eye irritation. Histamine content determined by thin-layer chromatography was 10-fold higher in samples from the “blue” than from the “black” bags (512 mg: 51mg/100g of flour, respectively). Values higher than 50 mg /100 g of fish meat are usually associated with clinical symptoms. Intensity of symptoms differed between exposed workers suggesting interindividual differences in sensitivity to histamine. The shipment was labelled as hazardous for human health with no permission for further transportation and usage. The highest permissible levels of histamine in fish flour and similar products should be legally adopted.

fish flour; histamine intoxication; Poison Control Center; harbour workers; thin-layer chromatography; skin symptoms; eye symptoms

nije evidentirano