A case of human poisoning by palytoxin after contact with zoanthid corals (Parazoanthus
sp.) in an aquarium through skin injuries on fingers is reported. The clinical symptoms
include swelling, paraesthesia and numbness around the site of the injury spreading over
the arm, but also signs of systemic poisoning such as dizziness, general weakness and
myalgia, irregularities in the ECG and indications of rhabdomyolysis. Symptomatic
treatment consisted of infusion of physiological fluids. The patient recovered within 3
days. Analysis of the zoanthid coral involved revealed extremely high concentrations of
palytoxin (between 2 and 3 mg/g).