An Outbreak of Scombroid Fish Poisoning Associated with Consumption of Yellowtail Fish in Seoul, Korea

BACKGROUND: In November 2016, an outbreak of scombroid fish poisoning occurred among elementary school students in Seoul, Korea. An epidemiological investigation was conducted to identify the cause and source of the illness. METHODS: A case-control study was conducted among school members who had eaten lunch in the school. The histamine level in the suspect food item (yellowtail steak) was measured. RESULTS: Fifty-five (5.4%) of 1,017 school members who consumed fish for lunch fell ill. The principal symptoms were flushing (100%) and headache (72.7%); the median incubation period was 40 minutes. All had consumed yellowtail steak (odds ratio, 9.24; 95% confidence interval, 1.22–69.91). Leftover steak had an elevated histamine level (293 mg/kg), higher than the allowed 200 mg/kg. CONCLUSION: An outbreak of scombroid fish poisoning was confirmed; this is the first such report in Korea. Detailed food safety guidelines must be established.

Immunohistochemical Study Of The Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (Vegf) Expression In Genistein Treated Hamster Buccal Pouch Oral Carcinoma Model

Genistein that is a component of soy has been reported to have a protective effect on the carcinogenesis of various tumors and to inhibit the growth of a wide variety of tumor cell in vitro. Angiogenesis is an essential process for the carcinogenesis, growth, invasion and metastasis of cancer and genistein has been suggested to act as natural anti-angiogenic agent. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of genistein on the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression in hamster buccal pouch oral carcinogenesis model induced by 9, 10-dimethyl 1,2-benzanthracene (DMBA). Experimental group that were supplied with 0.1mg/day genistein were sacrificed by time schedules and routinely processed for immunohistochemical examination of VEGF. In genistein treated group, carcinogenesis was retarded with respect to the acanthosis, hyperkeratosis, and epithelial dysplasia. Immunohistochemical study showed that the VEGF protein of genistein group was less expressed than that of the control group. (p < 0.05) Thus, it is postulated that genistein has chemopreventive effect on the oral carcinogenesis, and this chemopreventive effect, at least partly, is originated from the anti-angiogenic effect of genistein