Journal Article

Marine Algal Toxins and Public Health: Insights from Shellfish and Fish, the Main Biological Vectors

Yang, Wei-Dong, Li, Hong-Ye, Yuan, Kuan-Kuan

2024

Overview

Exposure to toxigenic harmful algal blooms (HABs) can result in widely recognized acute poisoning in humans. The five most commonly recognized HAB-related illnesses are diarrhetic shellfish poisoning (DSP), paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP), amnesic shellfish poisoning (ASP), neurotoxic shellfish poisoning (NSP), and ciguatera poisoning (CP). Despite being caused by exposure to various toxins or toxin analogs, these clinical syndromes share numerous similarities. Humans are exposed to these toxins mainly through the consumption of fish and shellfish, which serve as the main biological vectors. However, the risk of human diseases linked to toxigenic HABs is on the rise, corresponding to a dramatic increase in the occurrence, frequency, and intensity of toxigenic HABs in coastal regions worldwide. Although a growing body of studies have focused on the toxicological assessment of HAB-related species and their toxins on aquatic organisms, the organization of this information is lacking. Consequently, a comprehensive review of the adverse effects of HAB-associated species and their toxins on those organisms could deepen our understanding of the mechanisms behind their toxic effects, which is crucial to minimizing the risks of toxigenic HABs to human and public health. To this end, this paper summarizes the effects of the five most common HAB toxins on fish, shellfish, and humans and discusses the possible mechanisms.

• Publisher: MDPI AG,MDPI
• Subject: ABC transporters / Algae / Algal blooms / Algal toxins / Amnesic shellfish poisoning / Animals / Aquatic organisms / Associated species / Biological effects / Biological vectors / Ciguatera / Coastal zone / Diarrhetic shellfish poisoning / Digital signal processors / domoic acid / Enzymes / Eutrophication / Exposure / Fish / Fish as food / Fish toxins / Fishes / Food chains / Harmful Algal Bloom / harmful algal blooms / Human diseases / Humans / Marine biology / Marine toxins / Marine Toxins - toxicity / Metabolism / Microorganisms / Mollusks / neurotoxic shellfish poisoning / Neurotoxicity / Paralytic shellfish poisoning / Poisoning / Public Health / Review / Risk reduction / Seafood / Shellfish / Shellfish Poisoning - etiology / Shellfish Poisoning - prevention & control / Toxicity / Toxicology / Toxins / Vectors / Vectors (Biology)