[Poisoning by the consumption of shellfish contaminated with paralytic venom in the XII Region, Chile. Anatomopathological study].

The necropsy findings of ten subjects died as a consequence of paralytic shellfish intoxication are presented. These deaths occurred between march 1991 and january 1992, affected to seamen and occurred within 72 hours of contaminated shellfish ingestion. Necropsies were performed within 24 hours of death. The most outstanding necropsy findings were the presence of pink lividities, mydriasis and isocoria, airway obstruction with gastric contents, severe brain, lung liver and spleen swelling and edema, and digestive and respiratory mucosal congestion and friability. The toxicological study of urine, gastric content and organ samples revealed the presence of shellfish paralytic poison.