Algae and Medicine

Schwimmer, David R.; Schwimmer, Morton.

doi:10.1007/978-1-4684-1719-7_17

Cited by 49 publications

(22 citation statements)

References 63 publications

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“…There is much evidence that freshwater cyanophytes cancause a variety of adverse effects in man (69,70). Cohen and Reif (18) have documented a case of repeated episodes of erythrematous papulo-vesicular dermatitis from swimmers who have made contact with Anabaena in Lake Carey, Pa., U.S.A.…”

Section: Freshwater Cyanophytes and Manmentioning

confidence: 99%

Phycotoxins from blue-green algae

Gorham¹,

Carmichael²

1980

Pure and Applied Chemistry

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-Unpredictable poisonings of livestock and wildlife by waterblooms or scums of freshwater cyanophytes (cyanobacteria) occur when toxic strains of the common spe.cies dominate composition sufficiently to provide above-threshold levels of phycótoxins by susceptible animals. Known phycotoxins from freshwater cyanophytes are alkaloids, polypeptides or pteridines. New toxins produced by new strains have been described recently. Freshwater cyanophyte waterblooms can cause allergic reactions and, in water supplies, are suspected of causing outbreaks of human gastroenteritis. The structures of dermatitis-producing and non-dermatitis-producing phycotoxins from species of marine cyanophytes have been reported recently. I NTRODUCTIONSpecies of marine algae have been gathered and used for food in Japan and China for centuries.To a lesser extent they have been gathered and used in Europe, North America, and other parts of the world as well. In recent times much research has been done to develop methods for culturing, harvesting and drying both seaweeds and freshwater micro-algae. These methods are being utilized more and more in different countries to supply food for man or for livestock.The chief micro-algae that are being grown for human or animal consumption are eukaryotic chlorophytes, such as Chlorella and Scenedesmus. The coccoid bloom-forming cyanophyte Microcystis is the principal species which has long been grown on human and animal wastes as a food source for fish in manmade ponds and lagoons in India, Pakistan and other countries in south-east Asia. Another cyanophyte, Spirulina, traditionally eaten by people in central Africa and Mexico is now being cultured, or being considered for culture, as a food in Belgium, Mexico, Peru, California, Israel, South Africa and Thailand (16). Freshwater cyanophytes are potentially excellent sources of food because they have a high protein content and good digestibility. They also grow quite rapidly and can be cultured relatively easily on by-product or waste sources of nutrients. However, one of the serious drawbacks to using bloom-forming cyanophytes as food for livestock or man is the fact that toxic strains of several species of cyanophytes are now known to exist which are usually morphologically indistinguishable from non-toxic strains.Poisonings of livestock and other animals attributed to toxic blooms of freshwater cyanophytes occur with considerable frequency but unpredictably in western Canada and mid-western United States, and in similar climatic and geographic regions of South America, Europe, Asia, South Africa and Australia. These poisonings can cause considerable economic loss and hence are of concern to veterinarians. They are also of some concern to wildlife biologists, environmentalists and public health officials. More than 12 species belonging to 9 genera of freshwater cyanophytes have been implicated in case histories of animal poisonings, but toxic strains of the three most common bloom-forming species, Microcystis aeruginosa Kütz. emend Elenkin, An...

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Section: Freshwater Cyanophytes and Manmentioning

confidence: 99%

Phycotoxins from blue-green algae

Gorham¹,

Carmichael²

1980

Pure and Applied Chemistry

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“…A. circinalis is often found as mass entangled aggregates or blooms, in the water column or on the water surface. A. circinalis blooms are a major worldwide problem due to their production of a range of toxins, in particular the neurotoxins anatoxin-a and paralytic shellfish poisons (PSPs) (12,35). In common with other cyanobacteria, A. circinalis blooms can impart tastes and odors to drinking and recreational waters.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In common with other cyanobacteria, A. circinalis blooms can impart tastes and odors to drinking and recreational waters. Cyanobacterial blooms can lead to economic losses through their interference with water treatment processes or closure of waterways to recreational uses (8,12,35).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Geographical Segregation of the Neurotoxin-Producing Cyanobacterium Anabaena circinalis

Beltran

Neilan

2000

Appl Environ Microbiol

107

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Blooms of the cyanobacterium Anabaena circinalis are a major worldwide problem due to their production of a range of toxins, in particular the neurotoxins anatoxin-a and paralytic shellfish poisons (PSPs). Although there is a worldwide distribution of A. circinalis, there is a geographical segregation of neurotoxin production. American and European isolates of A. circinalis produce only anatoxin-a, while Australian isolates exclusively produce PSPs. The reason for this geographical segregation of neurotoxin production by A. circinalis is unknown. The phylogenetic structure of A. circinalis was determined by analyzing 16S rRNA gene sequences. A. circinalis was found to form a monophyletic group of international distribution. However, the PSP-and non-PSP-producing A. circinalis formed two distinct 16S rRNA gene clusters. A molecular probe was designed, allowing the identification of A. circinalis from cultured and uncultured environmental samples. In addition, probes targeting the predominantly PSP-producing or non-PSP-producing clusters were designed for the characterization of A. circinalis isolates as potential PSP producers.

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“…L'état des connaissances de l'époque est détaillé par GORHAM (1964b) (SCHWIMMER et SCHWIMMER, 1968). Relativement peu d'espèces d'eau douce sont incriminées à cette date, cependant des chlorophycées toxiques sont citées par SCHWIMMER et SCHWIMMER (1964). Les principaux travaux actuels sont dus à des chercheurs étrangers : CARMICHAEL, qui continue l'oeuvre de GORHAM aux U.S.A., CODD en Ecosse, ainsi que ERIKSSON, LINDHOLM et d'autres confrontés à la manifestation de nuisances graves en Scandinavie.…”

Section: La Toxicité Du Phytoplanctonunclassified

Les toxines des cyanobactéries : revue de synthèse

Feuillard¹

2005

rseau

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La toxicité du phytoplancton est un problème dont l'importance est grandissante en France comme en Europe. Cette toxicité se manifeste surtout lors de l'ingestion de cyanobactéries formant des fleurs d'eau superficielles liées à l'eutrophisation. Microcystis aeruginosa est l'espèce la plus fréquemment incriminée, mais 75 % des souches de cyanobactéries d'eau douce seraient des toxiques potentielles. Lorsque des clones sont isolés d'un plan d'eau dans lequel des manifestations de toxicité ont été observées, des souches toxiques et non toxiques sont obtenues. La connaissance des conditions d'expression de la toxicité représente un sujet important actuellement peu étudié. Un mammifère peut mourir s'il passe dans son sang 0,07 mg de toxine de Microcystis par kg de son poids. En pratique, de nombreux cas de morts de bétail ont été recensés. Les toxines qui causent des accidents sont des endotoxines non rejetées par les cellules vivantes, mais libéré au cours de leur lyse. Ceci explique que des cas d'intoxication humaine par l'intermédiaire de l'eau de boisson ont pu être observés. On distingue principalement : des microcystines, hépatotoxines produites par diverses cyanobactéries dont Microcystis et Oscillatoria, et des anatoxines, neurotoxines produites par des Anabaena. Certaines cyanobactéries produiraient un mélange des deux formes. En sus du test de toxicité classique sur la souris, plusieurs autres tests existent. L'analyse est généralement réalisée par chromatographie liquide à haute pression. Des produits actifs synthétisés par des cyanobactéries possèdent une fonction antibiotique et sont susceptibles de jouer un rôle dans le comportement des espèces et leur dominance ou de les protéger contre le broutage. Ces produits seraient des exotoxines différentes des précédentes.The aim of the paper is to present in the French language the international knowledge related to freshwater cyanobacterial toxins, a problem of great significance in our European countries but largely unknown by people in France. An analytical review of a selection of works chosen from the extensive existing literature is presented. At the present time, the mains works come from : U.S.A., with CARMICHAEL and coworkers, continuing the researchs from CORHAM; Scotland, with CODD; Scandinavia with ERIKSSON, LINDHOLM; and Japan with WATANABE, HARADA, but also many others scientists.In freshwater, poisoning is typically associated with the ingestion of the cyanobacteria appearing in large amount, at the surface of some water bodies, and called water blooms. Many cases of livestock death (concerning sheeps, calves but also adult oxen and horses), associated with the consumption of such water blooms are reported, also, deaths of wild mammals (muskrats, and hogs), birds (ducks, geese), fishes, invertebrate, and human illness following bathing are known. But, because toxins are not destroyed by conventional sand filtration treatment, human illness may also arise from drinking water taken out from an impoundment with a cyanobacterial bloom. Cases are kno...

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Algae and Medicine

Cited by 49 publications

References 63 publications

Phycotoxins from blue-green algae

Phycotoxins from blue-green algae

Geographical Segregation of the Neurotoxin-Producing Cyanobacterium Anabaena circinalis

Les toxines des cyanobactéries : revue de synthèse

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