domoic-acid and Ciguatera-Poisoning

Seafood poisoning has been recognized as a problem in both coastal and inland populations for millennia. Many types of sea creatures from shellfish to the largest fish have been implicated. Severe cases of many different types of seafood poisonings can result in fatalities. While the pathophysiology of the toxins is well known in some cases, others, like ciguatera, remain somewhat confusing. As a result, the treatment of these conditions remains controversial, although supportive care continues to be the mainstay of therapy. In this manuscript, we review the pathophysiology, clinical presentation, and treatment of some of the most common and toxic varieties of seafood poisoning resulting from toxins.

Topics: Animals; Ciguatera Poisoning; Fishes; Humans; Kainic Acid; Marine Toxins; Paralysis; Seafood; Shellfish Poisoning; Tetrodotoxin

The CoASTAL cohort represents the first community cohort assembled to study a HAB-related illness. It is comprised of three Native American tribes in the Pacific NW for the purpose of studying the health impacts of chronic, low level domoic acid (DA) exposure through razor clam consumption. This cohort is at risk of DA toxicity by virtue of their geographic location (access to beaches with a history of elevated DA levels in razor clams) and the cultural and traditional significance of razor clams in their diet. In this prospective, longitudinal study, Wave 1 of the cohort was comprised of 678 members across the human lifespan, with both sexes represented within child, adult, and geriatric age groups. All participants were followed annually with standard measures of medical and social history; neuropsychological functions, psychological status, and dietary exposure. DA concentrations were measured at both public and reservation beaches where razor clams are acquired. Multiple metrics were piloted to further determine exposure. Baseline data indicated that all cognitive and psychological functions were within normal limits. In addition, there was considerable variability in razor clam exposure. Therefore, the CoASTAL cohort offers a unique opportunity to investigate the potential health effects of chronic, low level exposure to DA over time.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Animals; Bivalvia; Child; Ciguatera Poisoning; Cohort Studies; Diet; Environmental Exposure; Female; Humans; Indians, North American; Kainic Acid; Longitudinal Studies; Male; Middle Aged; Northwestern United States; Prospective Studies; Seawater; Shellfish Poisoning; Water Pollutants, Chemical

The monoclonal antibody to ciguatoxin (CTX) produced from a hybridoma cell line was assayed for the detection of four congeners of CTX: Pacific ciguatoxin-1 (P-CTX-1), Pacific ciguatoxin-2 (P-CTX-2), Pacific ciguatoxin-3 (P-CTX-3), and Caribbean ciguatoxin-1 (C-CTX-1) and related marine toxins, including domoic acid, palytoxin, and okadaic acid, using a modified enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Lower detection limits were assessed and linearity was statistically established (P<0.05) for P-CTX-1, P-CTX-2, and P-CTX-3 and C-CTX-1 at concentrations ranging from 0 to 5.00 ng, while the other marine toxins showed statistically insignificant cross-reactivities at similar concentrations. Thus, the monoclonal antibody to CTX is able to specifically detect various CTX congeners at levels comparable to those naturally occurring in ciguatoxic fish.

Topics: Acrylamides; Antibodies, Monoclonal; Caribbean Region; Ciguatera Poisoning; Ciguatoxins; Cnidarian Venoms; Cross Reactions; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; Kainic Acid; Okadaic Acid; Pacific Ocean; Seafood