tetrodotoxin

tetrodotoxin /tet·ro·do·tox·in/ (tet´ro-do-tok″sin) a highly lethal neurotoxin present in numerous species of puffer fish and in certain newts (in which it is called tarichatoxin ); ingestion rapidly causes malaise, dizziness, and tingling about the mouth, which may be followed by ataxia, convulsions, respiratory paralysis, and death.

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te·tro·do·tox·in (t-trd-tksn)

n.

A potent neurotoxin, found in many puffer fish and certain newts.

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tetrodotoxin

a highly lethal neurotoxin present in numerous species of puffer and toadfish (suborder Tetraodontoidea) and in newts of the genus Taricha (tarichatoxin); ingestion results, within minutes, in malaise, dizziness and tingling about the mouth, which may be followed by ataxia, convulsions, respiratory paralysis and death.

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tetrodotoxin

Toxicology A potent heat-stable neurotoxin concentrated in fishes of order Tetraodontoidea; tetrodotoxin blocks conduction of sodium across membranes, and neural transmission in skeletal muscle, and kills up to 60% of those who ingest it, causing 50 deaths/yr in Japan Clinical Paresthesias begin 10-45 mins after ingestion, commonly as intraoral and tongue tingling, often associated with N&V, lightheadedness, vertigo, feelings of doom, weakness, hypersalivation, muscle twitching, diaphoresis, pleuritic chest pain, dysphagia, aphonia, convulsions, hypotension, bradycardia, depressed corneal reflexes, and fixed dilated pupils Management IV hydration, gastric lavage, activated charcoal