La ciguatera es una enfermedad transmitida de manera particular por la ingesta de pescado. Los peces provenientes de aguas tropicales y subtropicales en donde abundan arrecifes y corales tienen mayor probabilidad de contaminarse con las diferentes formas de ciguatoxina. El hombre se intoxica cuando ingiere los peces contaminados. La sintomatologia aparece en las primeras 24 horas, de forma rapida, caracterizada por sintomas gastrointestinales, neurologicos y cardiovasculares. En muchos casos se pueden presentar sintomas cronicos neurologicos, urinarios y psiquiatricos. Se ha senalado la posible transmision por leche materna. Los criterios epidemiologicos y clinicos son muy importantes para realizar una adecuada impresion clinica. Se deben promover los mecanismos para el diagnostico definitivo de la enfermedad por medio del examen microbiologico de las especies de pescado consumido. El tratamiento es sintomatico y requiere controles para identificar las complicaciones cronicas. Las autoridades de salud publica y ambiental deben buscar medios y metodos para prevenir el consumo de pescados con riesgo de estar contaminado. Rev.Cienc.Biomed. 2013;4(1):174-185 PALABRAS CLAVES Intoxicacion por ciguatera; Enfermedades de los peces; Region del Caribe; Ciguatoxinas; Toxicologia. SUMMARY Ciguatera is a disease transmitted, particularly by fish consumption. Fishes that come from tropical and subtropical waters where reefs and corals abound, have more probability of being contaminated with the different forms of ciguatoxin and only humans are poisoned when they consume contaminated fishes. The symptomatology appear generally in the first 24 hours, in a fast way, and they are characterized for gastrointestinal, neurological and cardiovascular symptoms. In some cases also chronic neurological, urinary and psychiatric symptoms can be presented. A possible transmission by human milk is mentioned. Epidemiological and clinical criteria are very important to do a suitable clinical impression and through instances of public health to promote the mechanisms for the definitive diagnosis of the disease by means of the microbiological exam of the species of consumed fish. The treatment is symptomatic and it requires subsequent controls for the chronic complications. The authorities of public and environmental health must look for means and methods to prevent the consumption of fishes with high risk of being contaminated. Rev.Cienc.Biomed.2013;4(1):174-185 KEYWORDS Ciguatera poisoning; Fish diseases; Caribbean region;Ciguatoxins;Toxicology.