title: Histamine poisoning from ingestion of fish or scombroid syndrome.
abstract: The scombroid poisoning is due to the ingestion of poorly preserved fish (especially tuna, sardines, and mackerel) out of the cold chain. Under the influence of the proliferation of gram negative bacteria that occurs for heating, the histidine content in the muscle of the fish is converted into histamine, by the action of the enzyme histidine decarboxylase. If the histamine is ingested in large quantities, it causes an anaphylactoid reaction with a variety of symptoms from moderate to severe to life-threating. We will describe two cases that came under our observation after consuming a meal of bluefin tuna. The diagnosis of scombroid syndrome was made on the basis of the anamnestic data and the clinical one. The rapid resolution of the signs and symptoms after treatment with histamines H1-H2 receptor blockers confirmed the suspected diagnosis.
authors.affiliation: Anaesthesia and Intensive Care Unit, General Hospital "Pugliese-Ciaccio", Viale Pio X, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy.
authors.forename: Vincenzo
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Tortorella
authors.affiliation: Emergency Medicine Unit, General Hospital "Pugliese-Ciaccio", 88100 Catanzaro, Italy.
authors.forename: Peppino
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Masciari
authors.affiliation: Anaesthesia and Intensive Care Unit, General Hospital "Pugliese-Ciaccio", Viale Pio X, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy.
authors.forename: Mario
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pezzi
authors.affiliation: Anaesthesia and Intensive Care Unit, General Hospital "Pugliese-Ciaccio", Viale Pio X, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy.
authors.forename: Assunta
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mola
authors.affiliation: Anaesthesia and Intensive Care Unit, General Hospital "Pugliese-Ciaccio", Viale Pio X, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy.
authors.forename: Simona Paola
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Tiburzi
authors.affiliation: Anaesthesia and Intensive Care Unit, General Hospital "Pugliese-Ciaccio", Viale Pio X, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy.
authors.forename: Maria Concetta
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Zinzi
authors.affiliation: Anaesthesia and Intensive Care Unit, General Hospital "Pugliese-Ciaccio", Viale Pio X, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy.
authors.forename: Annamaria
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Scozzafava
authors.affiliation: Anaesthesia and Intensive Care Unit, General Hospital "Pugliese-Ciaccio", Viale Pio X, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy.
authors.forename: Mario
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Verre