Paralytic shellfish poisoning in Papua New Guinea.

Paralytic shellfish poisoning is differentiated from other forms of poisioning from marine animals. An outbreak in a village near Port Moresby is described, and the clinical picture seen in that and subsequent cases (25 plus 3 fatalities) is discussed. The clinical manifestations of almost pure cerebellar incoordination, without other constant neurological signs, is emphasized and the name Ataxic Shellfish Poisoning is suggested. The aetiology whereby toxic marine plakton organisms are siphoned and filtered from the water and accumulate in shellfish is described.