Paralytic shellfish poisoning
Paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) is one of the four recognized syndromes of shellfish poisoning, which share some common features and are primarily associated with bivalve mollusks (such as mussels, clams, oysters and scallops). These shellfish are filter feeders and, therefore, accumulate toxins produced by microscopic algae, such as dinoflagellates and diatoms, and cyanobacteria.[1] Human toxicity and mortality can occur after ingestion of these animals, but toxicity is also seen in wild animal populations.
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[edit] Pathophysiology
The toxins responsible for most shellfish poisonings are water-soluble, heat and acid-stable, and ordinary cooking methods do not eliminate the toxins. The principal toxin responsible for PSP is saxitoxin. Some shellfish can store this toxin for several weeks after a harmful algal bloom passes, but others, such as butter clams, are known to store the toxin for up to two years. Additional toxins are found, such as neosaxiton and gonyautoxins I to IV. All of them act primarily on the nervous system.
PSP can be fatal in extreme cases, particularly in immunocompromised individuals. Children are more susceptible. PSP affects those who come into contact with the affected shellfish by ingestion.[1] Symptoms can appear ten to 30 minutes after ingestion, and include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and tingling or burning lips, gums, tongue, face, neck, arms, legs, and toes.[1] Shortness of breath, dry mouth, a choking feeling, confused or slurred speech, and loss of coordination are also possible.
[edit] PSP in wild marine mammals
PSP has been implicated as a possible cause of sea otter mortality and morbidity in Alaska, as one of its primary prey items, the butter clam (Saxidonus giganteus) bioaccumulates saxitoxin as a chemical defense mechanism.[2] . In addition, ingestion of saxitoxin-containing mackerel has been implicated in the death of humpback whales[3]
Additional cases where PSP was suspected as the cause of death in Mediterranean monk seals (Monachus monachus) in the Mediterranean Sea[4] have been questioned due to lack of additional testing to rule out other causes of mortality.[5]
[edit] See also
- Amnesic shellfish poisoning
- Diarrheal shellfish poisoning
- Neurotoxic shellfish poisoning
- Algal bloom (see "toxic chemicals" in paragraph 3)
- Ciguatera
- Cyanotoxin
- Dinoflagellate (see "neurotoxins" and "red tide" under Ecology and fossils and see "phosphate" under Cautions)
[edit] References
- ^ a b c Clark RF, Williams SR, Nordt SP, Manoguerra AS (1999). "A review of selected seafood poisonings". Undersea Hyperb Med 26 (3): 175–84. PMID 10485519. http://archive.rubicon-foundation.org/2314. Retrieved 2008-08-12.
- ^ DeGange, AR; Vacca MM (1989). "Sea otter mortality at Kodiak Island, Alaska, during summer 1987". Journal of Mammalogy 70 (4): 836–838.
- ^ Geraci, JR; Anderson DM, Timperi RJ, St. Aubin DJ, Early GA, Prescott JH, Mayo CA (1989). "Humpback Whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) Fatally Poisoned by Dinoflagellate Toxin". Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 46: 1895–1898.
- ^ Hernandez, M; Robinson I, Aguilar A, Gonzalez LM, Lopez-Jurado LF, Reyero MI, Cacho E, Franco J, Lopez-Rodas V, Costas E (1998). "Did algal toxins cause monk seal mortality?". Nature 393: 28–29. doi:10.1038/29906.
- ^ Van Dolah, FM (2005). "Effects of Harmful Algal Blooms". In: Marine Mammal Research: Conservation Beyond Crisis. (Reynolds, J.E., Perrin, W.F., Reeves, R.R., Montgomery, S., Ragen, T.J., eds.) Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore, MD, pp. 85-101.
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