A case of long-term neurological and respiratory sequelae of inhalational exposure to palytoxin

Palytoxin has been found in several soft coral species which are popular for in-home reef aquariums. Although a limited number of case reports describing acute respiratory distress after inhalational exposure to palytoxin have been reported, there have been no reports regarding the potential long-term effects of inhalational exposure to palytoxin in the literature. This case follows an aquatic specialist in the U.S. over a period of seven years after a single intense occupational exposure to the aerosolized toxin from cleaning of a residential aquarium.