title: Tremor syndrome associated with a fungal toxin: sequelae of food contamination.
abstract: We report on an elderly couple who presented with a syndrome that included severe generalised tremor and incoordination after eating soup from a damaged can. Black mould contaminating the can was subcultured and the fungus Penicillium crustosum was identified. This fungus usually produces a potent neurotoxin called penitrem A. The couple displayed symptoms consistent with penitrem A ingestion, all of which resolved fully. Penitrem A intoxication has been well documented in animals, but not in humans.
authors.affiliation: Emergency Department, Central Coast Health, Gosford, NSW. plewis@doh.health.nsw.gov.au
authors.forename: Peter R
authors.initials: PR
authors.lastname: Lewis
authors.forename: Michael B
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Donoghue
authors.forename: Ailsa D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Hocking
authors.forename: Lucy
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Cook
authors.forename: Linda V
authors.initials: LV
authors.lastname: Granger
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D005506:Food Contamination; D005516:Food Microbiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009183:Mycotoxins / Q000506:poisoning*; D010407:Penicillium / Q000302:isolation & purification* / Q000378:metabolism; D013577:Syndrome; D014202:Tremor / Q000209:etiology*
chemical_list: D009183:Mycotoxins; C003626:tremortin