A Rare Focal Inflammatory Process After a Pufferfish Bite

Abstract

Aim: Attacks and bites of marine animals are very rare in Turkey. The highly venomous pufferfish (Lagocephalus sceleratus), which often causes systemic toxicity with its toxin (tetradotoxin), could also cause focal toxicity due to bites. Case: A 57-year-old healthy female patient was admitted to the ED with the complaints of inflammation and wounds on the anterior aspect of the leg after a fish bite. 15 days before the admission, complaints of inflammation and pain occurred because of a pufferfish bite in the sea near the shore. In this case, we aimed to present the clinical changes detected after the 6-week follow-up of the patient who presented to the emergency department (ED) after a pufferfish bite that showed a local course. Conclusion: The tetradotoxin (TTX), which is especially found in the liver and reproductive organs of puffer fish. acts through sodium channels. There is no treatment or antitoxin available for enteral systemic poisoning. Symptomatic supportive treatment is recommended. In this patient who did not have any chronic disease, the healing process took over 2 months after puffer fish bite. In countries with a coast to the sea such as Turkey, it is necessary to be careful about the clinical situations that may occur after contact with sea creatures. Global warming and illegal hunting, can cause sea creatures to reproduce and live, in unusual habitats. This leads to unconventional and unknown medical conditions after wilderness contacts.