Review Article: Emerging Harmful Algal Blooms and Human Health: Pfiesteria and Related Organisms

Fleming, Lora E.; Easom, Jana; Baden, Daniel G.; Rowan, Alan; Levin, Bonnie

doi:10.1177/019262339902700511

Cited by 26 publications

(21 citation statements)

References 29 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Some shellfish biotoxins can affect both marine animals and man, whilst others affect humans alone (12). Among them, PSP and DSP are most common toxins (8,12,13). In particular, PSP has been considered to be among the most harmful and widely distributed toxins worldwide (14).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Detection of shellfish toxins from scallops in Guangzhou seafood market

Liu¹,

Wen-xue²,

Quan-xin³

et al. 2011

J. Venom. Anim. Toxins incl. Trop. Dis

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Abstract:To evaluate scallop safety in the Guangzhou seafood market, contents of shellfish toxins in adductor muscle, mantle skirts, gills and visceral mass of scallops were examined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and mouse unit assay. The results showed that: paralytic shellfish poisoning contents were up to 37.44 mg/100 g by ELISA and 319.99 MU/100 g by mouse unit assay, which did not exceed the limits of national standards (80 mg/100g and 400 MU/100 g); the contents of diarrhetic shellfish poisoning were 142.04 mg/100g and 0.2 MU/100 g, which exceeded the national standard limits (60 mg/100g); neurotoxic shellfish poisoning was undetectable; the contents of amnesic shellfish poisoning reached 220.12 mg/100g (no limit value could be referred to) . In addition, these poisons were present mainly in visceral mass and gills rather than adductor muscle and mantle skirts, suggesting that these toxins accumulate in a tissue-specific manner.

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…There are four types of shellfish toxins: paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP), diarrhetic shellfish poisoning (DSP), neurotoxic shellfish poisoning (NSP) and amnesic shellfish poisoning (7). Among these, PSP and DSP are most harmful to humans (8).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Detection of shellfish toxins from scallops in Guangzhou seafood market

Liu¹,

Wen-xue²,

Quan-xin³

et al. 2011

J. Venom. Anim. Toxins incl. Trop. Dis

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Occupational exposure to the dinoflagellate Pfiesteria has reportedly been linked to nausea, respiratory problems, and severe memory loss (Grattan et al 1998). However, Pfiesteria is difficult to assess because samples of this single organism are hard to collect, its toxins have yet to be characterized, and the inhalation exposure is difficult to measure (Fleming et al 1999).…”

Section: Commentarymentioning

confidence: 99%

Indicators of ocean health and human health: developing a research and monitoring framework.

Knap

Dewailly

Furgal

et al. 2002

Environ Health Perspect

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

We need to critically assess the present quality of the marine ecosystem, especially the connection between ecosystem change and threats to human health. In this article we review the current state of indicators to link changes in marine organisms with eventual effects to human health, identify research opportunities in the use of indicators of ocean and human health, and discuss how to establish collaborations between national and international governmental and private sector groups. We present a synthesis of the present state of understanding of the connection between ocean health and human health, a discussion of areas where resources are required, and a discussion of critical research needs and a template for future work in this field. To understand fully the interactions between ocean health and human health, programs should be organized around a "models-based" approach focusing on critical themes and attributes of marine environmental and public health risks. Given the extent and complex nature of ocean and human health issues, a program networking across geographic and disciplinary boundaries is essential. The overall goal of this approach would be the early detection of potential marine-based contaminants, the protection of marine ecosystems, the prevention of associated human illness, and by implication, the development of products to enhance human well-being. The tight connection between research and monitoring is essential to develop such an indicator-based effort.

show abstract

“…Informal suggestions have been made that at least three toxins exist, including two lipidsoluble toxins and one water-soluble toxin (55). A water-soluble toxin that appears to target the nervous system was tentatively assigned an estimated molecular mass of 400-500 atomic mass units (amu) (56).…”

Section: Chemical Properties Of Pfiesteria Toxinmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…One of the lipid-soluble toxins, estimated to have a molecular mass of 390 amu (55,56), has been attributed dermonecrotic activity that may contribute to the skin ulcer formation commonly observed in Pfiesteria-associated fish kills (38). The other lipophilic toxin has been termed "lipid-soluble lethal factor" (55).…”

Section: Chemical Properties Of Pfiesteria Toxinmentioning

confidence: 99%

Pfiesteria: Review of the Science and Identification of Research Gaps. Report for the National Center for Environmental Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Samet¹,

Bignami²,

Feldman³

et al. 2001

Environmental Health Perspectives

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The Pfiesteria organism was first identified and named in the early 1990s and its ability to kill fish was documented at the time. Research on the effects of exposure to its toxin on humans is more recent, sparked largely by widely publicized fish kills in the late 1990s and reports of adversely affected persons present at the scenes of the kills. Consequently, the peer-reviewed literature is still limited and substantial research is in progress at institutions in the Atlantic coast states of Maryland, North Carolina, and Virginia, and elsewhere. Dramatic reports of fish kills and illness among persons exposed to water at the time of the kills sparked public concern and reviews by a variety of agencies in the late 1990s. The primary data sources, secondary reviews, and expert panel reports were evaluated by this panel.In approaching its charge, the panel turned to a toxicologically based framework for conducting its review, characterizing the state of the science, and identifying research gaps (Figure 1). Prevention of adverse effects of Pfiesteria will need to be based in an understanding of each element in this framework: the ecological factors that drive concentrations of the organism and its state; the stimuli that lead to toxin production and the nature of the toxin; the mechanism of the toxin's effect on fish; the circumstances and routes of human exposure; and the mechanisms by which human health is adversely affected by the toxin. Sufficient certainty is needed on each of these points to evolve policies that will assure protection of public health and the fish populations. In addition, we need enhanced understanding of the still poorly characterized effects of Pfiesteria on human health.Other reviewers have commented on many elements of this framework; their reviews make clear that there are gaps in scientific understanding, with attendant uncertainty for decision makers, for each of these elements. With substantial research now under way, the panel views the timing of this review as an opportunity to examine the gaps and the extent to which new research findings will set aside uncertainties.Pfiesteria has proved to be a challenging problem. Researchers have referred to the organism as "ephemeral" and "phantom-like."It has multiple forms, transforming itself into a toxin-producing dinoflagellate when it somehow senses the presence of fish. Its toxin apparently destroys the integrity of the skin of fish, allowing the organism to feed; after feeding, the organism transforms into a dormant form. (Throughout this report, we refer to "Pfiesteria toxin," recognizing that the organism may well produce more than one toxin. We use the plural "toxins" in describing the basis for supposing that more than one toxin exists.) There is debate as to whether a pathognomonic lesion occurs in fish. Humans seem to be at risk when their activities lead to contact with toxin-containing water at the time of fish kills. Whether the toxin reaches target tissues by dermal contact or inhalation is unclear. A diffuse syndrome has b...

show abstract

Review Article: Emerging Harmful Algal Blooms and Human Health: Pfiesteria and Related Organisms

Cited by 26 publications

References 29 publications

Detection of shellfish toxins from scallops in Guangzhou seafood market

Detection of shellfish toxins from scallops in Guangzhou seafood market

Indicators of ocean health and human health: developing a research and monitoring framework.

Pfiesteria: Review of the Science and Identification of Research Gaps. Report for the National Center for Environmental Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About