Ingestion of fish bile or fish gallbladders as an alternative medicine can result in acute renal failure.
Fish bile may be taken for health problems (rheumatism, vision problems, etc) and to enhance general vitality.
Toxin: sodium cyprinol sulfate (a C27 bile acid)
Species of fish with toxic bile: many families, especially carp (common, silver, grass, etc)
The toxic effect is dose-dependent. The toxin is heat stable and its toxic effect persists after cooking.
In addition to renal failure the toxin can cause hepatic or multi-organ failure (MOF).
Diagnosis involves:
(1) documentation of recent fish bile ingestion
(2) exclusion of other causes of acute renal failure
(3) usually improvement after cessation of use
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Specialty: Nephrology, Clinical Laboratory
