CASES OF ACUTE ABDOMINAL PAIN AFTER EATING JAPANESE ANCHOVIES

Abstract

Subjects reported abdominal pain and vomiting 5 hours after eating Japanese anchovies. All cases had severe abdominal tenderness, and X-ray images revealed small intestinal gas images. Blood tests showed increased white blood cells. Results of Abdominal ultrasonography and gastro intestinal endoscope were normal. All cases were treated by conservative therapy limiting oral intake. Complaints improved between one to three days after treatment. It is thought that such cases of abdominal pain are a result of eating fish with worms or food poisoning. There was no indication of anisakiasis. Stool Culture tests showed no significant findings. The acute abdominal pain, appearance and progress of the symptoms are characteristic of histamine poisoning. Although the symptoms of histamine poisoning are generally mild, it is important that the medical examination include a careful interview of patients, and histamine poisoning should be considered in cases of acute abdominal pain.