Cyanobacterial toxins and human health

Hunter, Jane

doi:10.1046/j.1365-2672.1998.0840s135s.x

Cited by 51 publications

(21 citation statements)

References 38 publications

(38 reference statements)

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“…This phenomenon is especially emphasized during the cyanobacterial bloom, when potentially dangerous concentrations to human health can be found in drinking or recreational water [15]. As a principle, all cyanobacteria are considered potentially toxic, and there have been blooms associated with acute intoxications in humans and animals, reported worldwide [16][17][18]. Furthermore, cyanotoxins can be accumulated in aquatic wildlife [19,20], and transferred to higher trophic levels with the risk of livestock and human poisoning [21,22].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 96%

Epidemiology of Primary Liver Cancer in Serbia and Possible Connection With Cyanobacterial Blooms

Svirčev

Drobac

Tokodi

et al. 2013

Journal of Environmental Science and Health, Part C

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Today, the occurrence of harmful cyanobacterial blooms is a common phenomenon and a potential global health problem. Cyanobacteria can produce metabolites highly toxic to humans. More than 80% of reservoirs used for water supply in Central Serbia have bloomed over the past 80 years. A 10-year epidemiological study showed a significant increase in the incidence of primary liver cancer (PLC) in the regions where water from the blooming reservoirs was used for human consumption. At the same time, no correlation was found between the incidence of PLC and other risk factors, such as cirrhosis and hepatitis viruses. Given the strong association with PLC induction and various known possible mechanisms of carcinogenic action, it is highly possible that, cyanotoxins--acting as initiator and promoter--may be the major risk factor that acts synergistically with other risk factors to cause increased incidence of PLC. However, at present, it is still not certain whether cyanotoxins alone were sufficient to induce PLC. Therefore, additional assessment of the health risks that may arise from human exposure to cyanotoxins is advisable.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 96%

Epidemiology of Primary Liver Cancer in Serbia and Possible Connection With Cyanobacterial Blooms

Svirčev

Drobac

Tokodi

et al. 2013

Journal of Environmental Science and Health, Part C

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“…A range of cyanobacterial toxins have been described in detailed reviews (8,17). Hepatotoxins (liver damaging), neurotoxins (nerve damaging), cytotoxins (cell damaging), and toxins responsible for allergenic reactions have all been isolated from cyanobacteria.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Molecular Characterization of the Toxic Cyanobacterium Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii and Design of a Species-Specific PCR

Wilson

Schembri

Baker

et al. 2000

Appl Environ Microbiol

128

102

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Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii is a toxic-bloom-forming cyanobacterium that is commonly found in tropical to subtropical climatic regions worldwide, but it is also recognized as a common component of cyanobacterial communities in temperate climates. Genetic profiles of C. raciborskii were examined in 19 cultured isolates originating from geographically diverse regions of Australia and represented by two distinct morphotypes. A 609-bp region of rpoC1, a DNA-dependent RNA polymerase gene, was amplified by PCR from these isolates with cyanobacterium-specific primers. Sequence analysis revealed that all isolates belonged to the same species, including morphotypes with straight or coiled trichomes. Additional rpoC1 gene sequences obtained for a range of cyanobacteria highlighted clustering of C. raciborskii with other heterocyst-producing cyanobacteria (orders Nostocales and Stigonematales). In contrast, randomly amplified polymorphic DNA and short tandemly repeated repetitive sequence profiles revealed a greater level of genetic heterogeneity among C. raciborskii isolates than did rpoC1 gene analysis, and unique band profiles were also found among each of the cyanobacterial genera examined. A PCR test targeting a region of the rpoC1 gene unique to C. raciborskii was developed for the specific identification of C. raciborskii from both purified genomic DNA and environmental samples. The PCR was evaluated with a number of cyanobacterial isolates, but a PCR-positive result was only achieved with C. raciborskii. This method provides an accurate alternative to traditional morphological identification of C. raciborskii.Cyanobacterial blooms have become an increasing worldwide problem in aquatic habitats such as lakes, rivers, estuaries, and oceans and in man-made water storage systems. These occurrences can be partially attributed to gradual eutrophication of waterways. Certain species of cyanobacteria produce toxins, and as a result, blooms create major threats to animal and human health, tourism, recreation, and aquaculture.

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“…Of all the climate change events, temperature poses the greatest threat to the spread of infectious diseases, as the increase in temperature has been linked to the blooming of various planktonic species [61][62][63] and pathogens [64,65]. Planktonic blooms occur mostly in the summer months and the accumulation of toxins either through contact with water or food relating to these, such as blue-green algae [61] and dinoflagellates [63], results in cases being reported around these periods.…”

Section: Environmental Factors Affecting Disease Agentsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Planktonic blooms occur mostly in the summer months and the accumulation of toxins either through contact with water or food relating to these, such as blue-green algae [61] and dinoflagellates [63], results in cases being reported around these periods. However, the most evidence of the effect of temperature on risk from waterborne disease is in relation to cholera [64].…”

Section: Environmental Factors Affecting Disease Agentsmentioning

confidence: 99%