Question: What is diarrhetic shellfish poisoning?
Answer: The cited reference notes “Diarrhetic shellfish poisoning (DSP) is an acute gastrointestinal illness caused by consumption of bivalve mollusks that have accumulated okadaic acid (OA) or related dinophysistoxins through filter feeding. DSP toxins are produced by several species of marine dinoflagellates from the genera Dinophysis and Prorocentrum. Symptoms of DSP include nausea, abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, chills, and fever. Onset occurs 0.5–4 hours after consumption of contaminated food, and symptoms last up to 72 hours; treatment is supportive. To date, no sequelae have been reported, but speculation has suggested that chronic exposure may increase risk for gastrointestinal cancers.” (Lloyd JK et al. Diarrhetic Shellfish Poisoning, Washington, USA, 201. 2013 MMWR 19(8)”:1314-1316)
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