RHABDOMYOLYSIS AND MYOCARDIAL DAMAGE-INDUCED BY PALYTOXIN, A TOXIN OFBLUE HUMPHEAD PARROTFISH

A 55-year-old man had rhabdomyolysis and myocardial damage induced by palytoxin, Weakness and myalgia of four extremities occurred five hour s after eating a fish. Rhabdomyolysis developed and the serum creatine phosphokinase (CK) was elevated to 40,000 IU/l on the 3rd day. Gastri c lavage with activated charcoal and forced mannitol-alkaline diuresis therapy were performed. The patient recovered with no complication su ch as renal failure. In this case, palytoxin was suggested to induce m yocardial damage which was demonstrated by an elevation of the myosin light chain level and a change in electrocardiogram.