Saxitoxin Puffer Fish Poisoning in the United States
Author Information
Author(s): Landsberg Jan H., Hall Sherwood, Johannessen Jan N., White Kevin D., Conrad Stephen M., Abbott Jay P., Flewelling Leanne J., Richardson R. William, Dickey Robert W., Jester Edward L.E., Etheridge Stacey M., Deeds Jonathan R., Van Dolah Frances M., Leighfield Tod A., Zou Yinglin, Beaudry Clarke G., Benner Ronald A., Rogers Patricia L., Scott Paula S., Kawabata Kenji, Wolny Jennifer L., Steidinger Karen A.
Primary Institution: Fish and Wildlife Research Institute, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
Hypothesis
Is Pyrodinium bahamense the source of saxitoxin in puffer fish poisoning cases in the United States?
Conclusion
Puffer fish are confirmed as a hazardous reservoir of saxitoxins in Florida's marine waters, with Pyrodinium bahamense identified as the putative toxin source.
Supporting Evidence
- 28 puffer fish poisoning cases were reported in Florida, New Jersey, Virginia, and New York linked to the Indian River Lagoon.
- Saxitoxins were first identified in puffer fish fillet remnants from a New Jersey case in 2002.
- Maximum saxitoxin levels in southern puffer fish muscle were found to be 14,571 μg STX eq/100 g tissue, well above the action level.
- Pyrodinium bahamense was confirmed as the source of saxitoxins in puffer fish.
- Health advisories were issued and puffer fish harvesting was banned in the Indian River Lagoon due to toxicity concerns.
Takeaway
Some puffer fish in Florida can make people very sick because they have a poison called saxitoxin from tiny plants in the water.
Methodology
The study used various assays including mouse bioassay, receptor binding assay, and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry to detect toxins in puffer fish and algal samples.
Limitations
The study primarily focused on puffer fish from specific locations and may not represent all areas or species.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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