engleski

First evidence of human intoxication associated with Paralityc Shellfish Toxins on the eastern Adriatic coast

On December 16th 2008, five people asked for medical assistance due to typical symptoms of neurotoxin poisoning, including dizziness, nausea, vomiting, vision problems, respiratory difficulties and general weakness. Symptoms appeared 30 minutes after the consumption of tunicate Microcosmus sp. caught by fishery net in the Northern Adriatic Sea. Dizziness symptoms ceased in 1-2 hours. PSP toxin analysis by mouse bioassay (MB) revealed the presence of PSP toxins in Microcosmus sp. tissue sampled at same location on the next day. Concentration of saxitoxin in the sample was 617 µg STX eq./kg. Tunicates have been further collected and analyzed for presence of PSP toxins on monthly basis until April 2009. Concentration of STX ranged from 500 to 728 µg STX eq./kg. Although recorded toxin concentrations were below regulation limit, mild symptoms have been recorded in humans after the consumption of raw tissue of filter- feeding tunicate Microcosmus sp. Oyster Ostrea edulis have been collected simultaneously with Microcosmus sp. and analyzed by mouse bioassay for PSP and DSP toxins presence, but neither PSP nor DSP toxins have been recorded in shellfish. DSP toxins analyses in Microcosmus sp. have been performed using MB and liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. Although lipophilic toxins profile in Microcosmus sp. did not show presence of DSP toxins, MB was positive, with rapid death of all three mice within 7 minutes.

PSP toxins; Microcosmus sp.; Adriatic Sea

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