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

Abstract

Abstract. The increased presence of potentially toxic microalgae in the Mediterranean area is a matter of great concern. Since the end of the last century, microalgae of the genus Ostreopsis have been detected more and more frequently in the Italian coastal waters. The presence of Ostreopsis spp. has been accompanied by the presence of previously undetected marine biotoxins (palytoxins) into the ecosystem with the increased possibility of human exposure. In response to the urgent need for toxicity characterization of palytoxin and its congeners, an integrated study encompassing both in vitro and in vivo methods was performed.

Allelopathic interactions between the HAB dinoflagellate Ostreopsis cf. ovata and macroalgae

“…In these areas, O. cf. ovata is well-known for its toxin production, including both palytoxin-like compounds (isobaric palytoxin and ovatoxin-a, b, c, d, e, f and g) and mascarenotoxin-a and c (Rossi et al, 2010;Ciminiello et al, 2011Ciminiello et al, , 2012Scalco et al, 2012;Uchida et al, 2013;García-Altares et al, 2015) that cause both mortality of benthic marine organisms (Shears and Ross, 2009;Accoroni et al, 2011;Gorbi et al, 2012Gorbi et al, , 2013Pagliara and Caroppo, 2012) and noxious effects on human health (Gallitelli et al, 2005;Kermarec et al, 2008;Tichadou et al, 2010;Del Favero et al, 2012).…”

Ostreopsis fattorussoi sp. nov. (Dinophyceae), a new benthic toxic Ostreopsis species from the eastern Mediterranean Sea

“…, Del Favero et al. ) and benthic marine organisms (Accoroni et al. , Pagliara and Caroppo , Gorbi et al.…”

“…In the past decade, Ostreopsis blooms have also become common in temperate areas during the summer-autumn period (Chang et al 2000, Rhodes et al 2000, Pearce et al 2001, Vila et al 2001, Taniyama et al 2003, Turki 2005, Aligizaki and Nikolaidis 2006, Mangialajo et al 2008, Shears and Ross 2009, Illoul et al 2012, Ismael and Halim 2012, Pfannkuchen et al 2012, Selina et al 2014. In these areas, Ostreopsis blooms are often associated with noxious effects on the health of humans (Tichadou et al 2010, Del Favero et al 2012) and benthic marine organisms , Pagliara and Caroppo 2012, Gorbi et al 2013, Carella et al 2015.…”

“…Blooms of Ostreopsis are well known in the Mediterranean Sea due to their effect on human health, mainly following inhalation of seawater droplets containing Ostreopsis cells or fragments and/or aerosolized toxins (Gallitelli et al 2005, Kermarec et al 2008, Tichadou et al 2010, Del Favero et al 2012, Casabianca et al 2013. The typical symptoms of Ostreopsis intoxication through aerosol and/or direct contact exposure are broncho-constriction, dyspnoea, fever, conjunctivitis, and skin irritations.…”

Characterisation of palytoxin from an undescribed Palythoa (Anthozoa: Zoantharia: Sphenopidae) with significant in vitro cytotoxic effects on cancer cells at picomolar doses

“…As a consequence, and because of sanitary problems due to toxic Ostreopsis spp. outbreaks [12], there is a need for high-yield sources of PlTX so as to facilitate its functional characterisation. 3 Sales from aquarium trade of zoanthids containing PlTX have also caused domestic intoxications after inhalation of steam [13,14], dermal contact [15] or water spray in the eyes [16,17].…”