title: An outbreak of diarrhoeic shellfish poisoning in Antwerp, Belgium.
abstract: In Antwerp, Belgium, 403 cases of diarrhoeic shellfish poisoning were reported after consumption of blue mussels. Symptoms included diarrhoea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and nausea. The analysis of faecal specimens from patients allowed diagnosis exclusions for bacteria and viruses. Mouse-assays revealed the presence of biotoxins specific of dinoflagellates, which were identified and quantified by LC-MS. The mussels were imported from Denmark, and were part of a batch presenting high concentrations of okadaic acid above the regulatory limits.
authors.affiliation: Gezondheidsinspectie Copernicuslaan 1 Antwerpen, Belgium.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: De Schrijver
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Maes
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: De Man
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Michelet
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001530:Belgium / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015897:Comorbidity; D003967:Diarrhea / Q000453:epidemiology*; D004196:Disease Outbreaks / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005243:Feces / Q000382:microbiology; D005517:Foodborne Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D019319:Okadaic Acid / Q000032:analysis; D011528:Protozoan Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D012758:Shellfish / Q000382:microbiology; D057096:Shellfish Poisoning
chemical_list: D019319:Okadaic Acid