Poisoning from Horseshoe Crab

Abstract

Horseshoe crabs can be found on the east and the west of the Gulf of Thailand. They are divided into two types namely Carcinosecorpius rotundicauda (round-tail horseshoe crab) and Tachypleus gigas (triangle-tail horseshoe crab). The horseshoe crab poisoning is caused by round-tail horseshoe crab consumption. The round-tail horseshoe crab is round tail and bigger than triangle-tail horseshoe crab. The toxin in round-tail horseshoe crab is tetrodotoxin which blocks sodium channel in neuron cells. The symptoms are characterized by fatigue, dizziness, numbness of face, leg and arm, muscle twitching, hypotension, bradycardia, flaccid paralysis, and respiratory arrest. The onset of the symptoms varies from five minutes to three hours. The factors associated with the severity are their habitats, their part of body, amount of consumption, and season. There is no specific treatment for horseshoe crab poisoning. The general management is symptomatic treatment, especially respiratory airway monitoring. The horseshoe crab poisoning can be prevented by providing knowledge of horseshoe crab and toxic symptom after consumption in order to let public realizes and beware of round-tail horseshoe crab consumption.