Summary

Ciguatera is, on a world-wide scale, the commonest of the four broad classes of ichthyosarcotoxism currently described. The disease is contracted by the consumption of toxic flesh from any of many fish species which are usually safe foodstuff. It is characterised by a combination of neural, gastrointestinal and cardiac effects. The incidence of the disease is almost certainly increasing world-wide, and its appearance in the UK has recently been described. The author’s personal experience is described together with some historical background and a review of current literature.