Severe hepatotoxicity caused by the tropical cyanobacterium (blue-green alga) Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii (Woloszynska) Seenaya and Subba Raju isolated from a domestic water supply reservoir

Abstract

Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii, a tropical blooming species of cyanobacterium (blue-green alga), was isolated from the domestic water supply reservoir on Palm Island, a continental island off the tropical northeast coast of Australia. This species, not previously known to be toxic, was shown to be severely hepatotoxic for mice. The 50% lethal dose at 24 h after injection was found to be 64 ± 5 mg of freeze-dried culture per kg of mouse. The principal lesion produced was centrilobular to massive hepatocyte necrosis, but various degrees of injury were also seen in the kidneys, adrenal glands, lungs, and intestine. The possible implication of this finding in relation to an incident of hepatoenteritis in humans living on the island is discussed.

Seasonal dynamics and toxicity of Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii in Lake Guiers (Senegal, West Africa)

“…The persistent presence and/or dominance of C. raciborskii in Lake Guiers is worrying in the light of the use of the Lake by local populations. Due to its ability to produce toxins, this species has been blamed for human poisoning (Hawkins et al, 1985) and mortality amongst cattle (Saker et al, 1999). The present study did not identify any C. raciborskii bloom, nor were any toxic strains isolated, but we cannot exclude the possibility of either an increasing adaptation of this species to the environment of Lake Guiers or the development of a toxic ecotype.…”

“…in Brazil, Bouvy et al, 2001), whereas in sub-tropical and temperate areas, this species displays seasonal dynamics (Mc Gregor & Fabbro, 2000). Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii is able to produce a wide range of toxins, such as cylindrospermopsin (CYN, a hepatotoxic cyclic peptide) in Australia (Hawkins et al, 1985;Mc Gregor & Fabbro, 2000;Saker & Griffiths, 2000), USA (Carmichael, 2002) and Asia (Li et al, 2001;Chonudomkul et al, 2004), saxitoxins (STXs, neurotoxic alkaloids) in South America (Lagos et al, 1999;Pomati et al, 2004), and an unidentified hepatotoxin (CYN-like) in Europe (Bernard et al, 2003;Fastner et al, 2003).…”

A decision‐making framework for ecological impacts associated with the accumulation of cyanotoxins (cylindrospermopsin and microcystin)

“…Adverse human health effects associated with MC and CYN include gastrointestinal complaints, skin allergies and, possibly, tumour promotion and increased risks of primary liver cancer (Ueno et al 1999;Xu et al 2000;Falconer 2001). Microcystin was found to be responsible for the deaths of dialysis patients treated with water from the MC-containing Tabocas Reservoir ( Komarek et al 2001), while CYN was implicated in the so-called Palm Island mystery disease, which resulted in the hospitalization of > 100 children suffering acute gastroenteritis (Byth 1980;Hawkins et al 1985).…”

Characterizing a cyanobacterial bloom in Western Lake Erie using satellite imagery and meteorological data

“…These blooms are associated with detrimental effects, including human respiratory irritation, taste and odor of potable water, and human illness as a result of ingestion or skin exposure during recreation. Mortalities have been observed in domestic and wild animals (Hawkins et al 1985;Carmichael 1998;Kuiper-Goodman et al 1999). Additionally, cyanobacterial blooms can be aesthetically unappealing.…”