Health impact of unicellular algae of theOstreopsisgenus blooms in the Mediterranean Sea: experience of the French Mediterranean coast surveillance network from 2006 to 2009

Abstract

In the Mediterranean, Ostreopsis blooms induce skin and respiratory disorders when human beings are exposed to saltwater with a high concentration of algal cells. However, palytoxin dosages carried out on the food chain (urchins, mussels) indicate that this risk of toxins accumulation in seafood must be taken into account and that the surveillance network should be upgraded accordingly.

Sanitary problems related to the presence of Ostreopsis spp. in the Mediterranean Sea: a multidisciplinary scientific approach

“…Later, symptoms such as rhinorrhea, cough, dyspnea and fever, associated with blooms along the Bari coast, were described in more detail by Gallitelli, et al [10]. Similar symptoms were observed along the Spanish and French Mediterranean coasts, accompanied by ocular irritation, headache and, in some cases, by fever [41,42]. Other anecdotal descriptions of respiratory problems following marine aerosol exposure during Ostreopsis blooms have also been reported along the Mediterranean coast [25,43,44].…”

“…along the coastlines was accompanied by the occurrence of human intoxication [10,[40][41][42][43]. In particular, human exposure to marine aerosol and/or seawater concomitantly to Ostreopsis proliferations was associated with an illness in which symptoms involved mainly the upper respiratory tract [40].…”

Palytoxin poisoning via inhalation in pediatric siblings

“…While inhalational toxicity from marine aerosols is well known, the first case of inhalational toxicity from aquaria was reported in 2008, a second case was reported in 2010, and a third case in 2012 [3,4,14,15]. This case report represents the fourth case of inhalational toxicity incidental to aquarium Zoanthids.…”

Case Series: Inhaled Coral Vapor—Toxicity in a Tank

“…The majority of previous reports of PTX exposure have been secondary to the consumption of fish that bioaccumulate PTX by feeding on the dinoflagellate Ostreopsis species or on Palythoa species [6,7,10]. Some examples of these fish include the parrotfish (Scarus ovifrons), marine pufferfish (Sphoeroides spengleri), and filefish (Altera scripta).…”

“…Reports of inhalational exposure to PTX are uncommon [7,10]. A case series of six patients with inhalational exposure to PTX aerosolized from Palythoa corals is described.…”