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Campàs M, Reverté J, Tudó À, Alkassar M, Diogène J, Sureda FX. Automated Patch Clamp for the Detection of Tetrodotoxin in Pufferfish Samples. Mar Drugs 2024; 22:176. [PMID: 38667793 PMCID: PMC11050952 DOI: 10.3390/md22040176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2024] [Revised: 04/10/2024] [Accepted: 04/12/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Tetrodotoxin (TTX) is a marine toxin responsible for many intoxications around the world. Its presence in some pufferfish species and, as recently reported, in shellfish, poses a serious health concern. Although TTX is not routinely monitored, there is a need for fast, sensitive, reliable, and simple methods for its detection and quantification. In this work, we describe the use of an automated patch clamp (APC) system with Neuro-2a cells for the determination of TTX contents in pufferfish samples. The cells showed an IC50 of 6.4 nM for TTX and were not affected by the presence of muscle, skin, liver, and gonad tissues of a Sphoeroides pachygaster specimen (TTX-free) when analysed at 10 mg/mL. The LOD achieved with this technique was 0.05 mg TTX equiv./kg, which is far below the Japanese regulatory limit of 2 mg TTX equiv./kg. The APC system was applied to the analysis of extracts of a Lagocephalus sceleratus specimen, showing TTX contents that followed the trend of gonads > liver > skin > muscle. The APC system, providing an in vitro toxicological approach, offers the advantages of being sensitive, rapid, and reliable for the detection of TTX-like compounds in seafood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mònica Campàs
- IRTA, Marine and Continental Waters (AMiC) Programme, Ctra. Poble Nou del Delta, km. 5.5, 43540 La Ràpita, Spain; (J.R.); (M.A.); (J.D.)
| | - Jaume Reverté
- IRTA, Marine and Continental Waters (AMiC) Programme, Ctra. Poble Nou del Delta, km. 5.5, 43540 La Ràpita, Spain; (J.R.); (M.A.); (J.D.)
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, C/Sant Llorenç 21, 43201 Reus, Spain;
| | - Àngels Tudó
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, C/Sant Llorenç 21, 43201 Reus, Spain;
| | - Mounira Alkassar
- IRTA, Marine and Continental Waters (AMiC) Programme, Ctra. Poble Nou del Delta, km. 5.5, 43540 La Ràpita, Spain; (J.R.); (M.A.); (J.D.)
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, C/Sant Llorenç 21, 43201 Reus, Spain;
| | - Jorge Diogène
- IRTA, Marine and Continental Waters (AMiC) Programme, Ctra. Poble Nou del Delta, km. 5.5, 43540 La Ràpita, Spain; (J.R.); (M.A.); (J.D.)
| | - Francesc X. Sureda
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, C/Sant Llorenç 21, 43201 Reus, Spain;
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Ulman A, Abd Rabou AFN, Al Mabruk S, Bariche M, Bilecenoğlu M, Demirel N, Galil BS, Hüseyinoğlu MF, Jimenez C, Hadjioannou L, Kosker AR, Peristeraki P, Saad A, Samaha Z, Stoumboudi MT, Temraz TA, Karachle PK. Assessment of Human Health Impacts from Invasive Pufferfish (Attacks, Poisonings and Fatalities) across the Eastern Mediterranean. Biology (Basel) 2024; 13:208. [PMID: 38666820 PMCID: PMC11048499 DOI: 10.3390/biology13040208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2024] [Revised: 03/19/2024] [Accepted: 03/19/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024]
Abstract
The silver-cheeked toadfish Lagocephalus sceleratus (Gmelin 1789), and to a lesser degree the orange spotted toadfish Torquigener hypselogeneion (Bleeker, 1852), pose threats to human health from physical attacks and poisonings in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea. This study reviewed human health-related impacts resulting from these pufferfish, compiling and assessing records from online sources, the peer-reviewed literature, medical records, personal interviews, and observations across the Eastern Mediterranean in the years 2004 to 2023. A total of 198 events impacting human health were documented: 28 records of physical attacks, at least 144 non-lethal poisoning episodes, and 27 human fatalities resulting from consumption. The majority of the reported incidences occurred in Syria, Türkiye, and Lebanon. Most physical attacks occurred in summer, while most poisoning events occurred during winter. The number of recorded incidents greatly increased after 2019, especially with regard to poisonings, yet whether this is related to greater media attention, or to increased fish abundance is unclear. This is the first comprehensive study to collate findings on attacks, poisonings and fatalities caused by these pufferfish in the Mediterranean Sea, and may help in improving national health policies. We urge the continuation of national campaigns to caution residents and tourists of these species' high toxicities and potential aggressiveness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aylin Ulman
- Mersea Marine Consulting, 48300 Fethiye, Türkiye;
| | | | - Sara Al Mabruk
- Nursing Department, Higher Institute of Science and Technology-Cyrene, Shahat 6036, Libya;
| | - Michel Bariche
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, American University of Beirut, Beirut P.O. Box 11-0236, Lebanon;
| | - Murat Bilecenoğlu
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Aydın Adnan Menderes University, 09010 Aydın, Türkiye;
| | - Nazli Demirel
- Institute of Marine Sciences and Management, Istanbul University, Fatih, 34134 Istanbul, Türkiye;
| | - Bella S. Galil
- The Steinhardt Museum of Natural History, Israel National Center for Biodiversity Studies, Tel-Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel;
| | | | - Carlos Jimenez
- Enalia Physis Environmental Research Centre, 2101 Nicosia, Cyprus;
| | | | - Ali Rıza Kosker
- Department of Seafood Processing Technology, Faculty of Fisheries, Cukurova University, 01330 Adana, Türkiye;
| | - Panagiota Peristeraki
- Institute of Marine Biological Resources and Inland Waters, Hellenic Centre for Marine Research, P.O. Box 2214, 71300 Heraklion, Greece;
| | - Adib Saad
- Directorate of Scientific Research and Publishing, Al-Manara University, Lattakia HQ28 RFM, Syria;
| | - Ziad Samaha
- General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM—FAO), Palazzo Blumenstihl, Via Vittoria Colonna 1, 00193 Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Th. Stoumboudi
- Institute of Marine Biological Resources and Inland Waters, Hellenic Centre for Marine Research, 576 Vouliagmenis Ave., 16452 Argyroupoli, Greece;
| | - Tarek A. Temraz
- Department of Marine Sciences, Faculty of Science, Suez Canal University, Ismailia 8366004, Egypt;
| | - Paraskevi K. Karachle
- Institute of Marine Biological Resources and Inland Waters, Hellenic Centre for Marine Research, 576 Vouliagmenis Ave., 16452 Argyroupoli, Greece;
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Wang Y, Javeed A, Jian C, Zeng Q, Han B. Precautions for seafood consumers: An updated review of toxicity, bioaccumulation, and rapid detection methods of marine biotoxins. Ecotoxicol Environ Saf 2024; 274:116201. [PMID: 38489901 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2024.116201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2023] [Revised: 03/03/2024] [Accepted: 03/08/2024] [Indexed: 03/17/2024]
Abstract
Seafood products are globally consumed, and there is an increasing demand for the quality and safety of these products among consumers. Some seafoods are easily contaminated by marine biotoxins in natural environments or cultured farming processes. When humans ingest different toxins accumulated in seafood, they may exhibit different poisoning symptoms. According to the investigations, marine toxins produced by harmful algal blooms and various other marine organisms mainly accumulate in the body organs such as liver and digestive tract of seafood animals. Several regions around the world have reported incidents of seafood poisoning by biotoxins, posing a threat to human health. Thus, most countries have legislated to specify the permissible levels of these biotoxins in seafood. Therefore, it is necessary for seafood producers and suppliers to conduct necessary testing of toxins in seafood before and after harvesting to prohibit excessive toxins containing seafood from entering the market, which therefore can reduce the occurrence of seafood poisoning incidents. In recent years, some technologies which can quickly, conveniently, and sensitively detect biological toxins in seafood, have been developed and validated, these technologies have the potential to help seafood producers, suppliers and regulatory authorities. This article reviews the seafood toxins sources and types, mechanism of action and bioaccumulation of marine toxins, as well as legislation and rapid detection technologies for biotoxins in seafood for official and fishermen supervision.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yifan Wang
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Silkworm Bioreactor and Biomedicine, Laboratory of Antiallergic Functional Molecules, College of Life Sciences and Medicine, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310018, China
| | - Ansar Javeed
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Silkworm Bioreactor and Biomedicine, Laboratory of Antiallergic Functional Molecules, College of Life Sciences and Medicine, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310018, China
| | - Cuiqin Jian
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Silkworm Bioreactor and Biomedicine, Laboratory of Antiallergic Functional Molecules, College of Life Sciences and Medicine, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310018, China
| | - Qiuyu Zeng
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Silkworm Bioreactor and Biomedicine, Laboratory of Antiallergic Functional Molecules, College of Life Sciences and Medicine, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310018, China
| | - Bingnan Han
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Silkworm Bioreactor and Biomedicine, Laboratory of Antiallergic Functional Molecules, College of Life Sciences and Medicine, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310018, China.
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Liu S, Zhang Y, Chen Y, Su Y, Chen B, Wang Y, Xu M, Qiao K, Li S, Liu Z. Isolation and Purification of Protamine from the Cultured Takifugu flavidus and Its Physicochemical Properties. Molecules 2024; 29:263. [PMID: 38202846 PMCID: PMC10780564 DOI: 10.3390/molecules29010263] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2023] [Revised: 12/26/2023] [Accepted: 12/29/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Protamine is a cationic peptide derived from fish sperm and has several important functional properties: antibacterial properties, acting as a carrier for injectable insulin and as a heparin antagonist, combatting fatigue, etc. Thus, it has been widely used in medicinal applications and food products. Cultured Takifugu flavidus is a type of pufferfish with a delicious taste that is popular in China, and its production is increasing significantly. Therefore, protamine was extracted via acid extraction from the sperm of Takifugu flavidus and further isolated and purified via sephadex gel chromatography, ion exchange chromatography, and desalination chromatography. Furthermore, the physicochemical properties of protamine were investigated. The results showed that the sperm of the cultured T. flavidus were non-toxic, and the extracted and purified protamine had high contents of arginine (36.90%) and lysine (27.02%), respectively. The secondary structure of protamine was mainly β-folded and irregularly curled. Additionally, protamine exhibited high thermal stability with a denaturation temperature of 176 °C. This study would provide a theoretical basis for the structural analysis, bioactivity, and resource development of pufferfish protamine and help to promote the development of the pufferfish industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuji Liu
- Key Laboratory of Cultivation and High-Value Utilization of Marine Organisms in Fujian Province, Fisheries Research Institute of Fujian, National Research and Development Center for Marine Fish Processing (Xiamen), Xiamen 361013, China; (S.L.); (Y.S.); (B.C.); (Y.W.); (M.X.); (K.Q.)
| | - Yue Zhang
- College of Food Science, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China; (Y.Z.); (Y.C.)
| | - Yihui Chen
- College of Food Science, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China; (Y.Z.); (Y.C.)
| | - Yongchang Su
- Key Laboratory of Cultivation and High-Value Utilization of Marine Organisms in Fujian Province, Fisheries Research Institute of Fujian, National Research and Development Center for Marine Fish Processing (Xiamen), Xiamen 361013, China; (S.L.); (Y.S.); (B.C.); (Y.W.); (M.X.); (K.Q.)
| | - Bei Chen
- Key Laboratory of Cultivation and High-Value Utilization of Marine Organisms in Fujian Province, Fisheries Research Institute of Fujian, National Research and Development Center for Marine Fish Processing (Xiamen), Xiamen 361013, China; (S.L.); (Y.S.); (B.C.); (Y.W.); (M.X.); (K.Q.)
| | - Yin Wang
- Key Laboratory of Cultivation and High-Value Utilization of Marine Organisms in Fujian Province, Fisheries Research Institute of Fujian, National Research and Development Center for Marine Fish Processing (Xiamen), Xiamen 361013, China; (S.L.); (Y.S.); (B.C.); (Y.W.); (M.X.); (K.Q.)
| | - Min Xu
- Key Laboratory of Cultivation and High-Value Utilization of Marine Organisms in Fujian Province, Fisheries Research Institute of Fujian, National Research and Development Center for Marine Fish Processing (Xiamen), Xiamen 361013, China; (S.L.); (Y.S.); (B.C.); (Y.W.); (M.X.); (K.Q.)
| | - Kun Qiao
- Key Laboratory of Cultivation and High-Value Utilization of Marine Organisms in Fujian Province, Fisheries Research Institute of Fujian, National Research and Development Center for Marine Fish Processing (Xiamen), Xiamen 361013, China; (S.L.); (Y.S.); (B.C.); (Y.W.); (M.X.); (K.Q.)
| | - Shuigen Li
- Fujian Fisheries Technical Extension Station, Fuzhou 350002, China
| | - Zhiyu Liu
- Key Laboratory of Cultivation and High-Value Utilization of Marine Organisms in Fujian Province, Fisheries Research Institute of Fujian, National Research and Development Center for Marine Fish Processing (Xiamen), Xiamen 361013, China; (S.L.); (Y.S.); (B.C.); (Y.W.); (M.X.); (K.Q.)
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Kosker AR, Karakus M, Katikou P, Dal İ, Durmus M, Ucar Y, Ayas D, Özogul F. Monthly Variation of Tetrodotoxin Levels in Pufferfish ( Lagocephalus sceleratus) Caught from Antalya Bay, Mediterranean Sea. Mar Drugs 2023; 21:527. [PMID: 37888462 PMCID: PMC10608123 DOI: 10.3390/md21100527] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2023] [Revised: 10/02/2023] [Accepted: 10/03/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023] Open
Abstract
The silver-cheeked toadfish (Lagocephalus sceleratus), an invasive alien pufferfish species that has rapidly settled throughout the Mediterranean region, poses significant threats not only to native marine species and fisheries but also to public health due to the tetrodotoxin (TTX) they harbor. In this study, TTX concentrations in L. sceleratus from Antalya Bay in the Northeastern Mediterranean Sea were investigated using Q-TOF-LC-MS on a monthly basis over a one-year period. Pufferfish were caught by angling from May 2018 to April 2019. The TTX levels in three different tissues (gonads, liver, and muscle) of 110 pufferfish in total were determined in both male and female individuals caught for 11 months. The highest TTX mean levels generally occurred in the gonads and the lowest in the muscle samples. As regards the maximum TTX contents, the highest concentrations determined were 68.2, 34.2, and 7.8 µg/g in the gonad, liver, and muscle tissues, respectively. The highest levels were generally observed in late autumn to winter (especially in November and December) in all tissues from both genders. Female individuals were generally found to be more toxic than male individuals. The TTX levels found confirm that the consumption of L. sceleratus from Antalya Bay remains dangerous throughout the year, and thus L. sceleratus constantly constitutes an important risk source for public health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali Rıza Kosker
- Department of Seafood Processing Technology, Faculty of Fisheries, Cukurova University, 01330 Adana, Turkey; (M.D.); (F.Ö.)
| | - Merve Karakus
- Mediterranean Fisheries Research Production and Training Institute, Demre Unit, 07570 Antalya, Turkey; (M.K.); (İ.D.)
| | - Panagiota Katikou
- Veterinary Research Institute of Thessaloniki, Hellenic Agricultural Organization—DIMITRA, Ktima Thermis, 57001 Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - İsmail Dal
- Mediterranean Fisheries Research Production and Training Institute, Demre Unit, 07570 Antalya, Turkey; (M.K.); (İ.D.)
| | - Mustafa Durmus
- Department of Seafood Processing Technology, Faculty of Fisheries, Cukurova University, 01330 Adana, Turkey; (M.D.); (F.Ö.)
| | - Yılmaz Ucar
- Vocational School of Aladag, Department of Forestry, Cukurova University, 01720 Adana, Turkey;
| | - Deniz Ayas
- Fisheries Faculty, Mersin University, 33169 Mersin, Turkey;
| | - Fatih Özogul
- Department of Seafood Processing Technology, Faculty of Fisheries, Cukurova University, 01330 Adana, Turkey; (M.D.); (F.Ö.)
- Biotechnology Research and Application Center, Cukurova University, 01330 Adana, Turkey
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Anastasiou TI, Kagiampaki E, Kondylatos G, Tselepides A, Peristeraki P, Mandalakis M. Assessing the Toxicity of Lagocephalus sceleratus Pufferfish from the Southeastern Aegean Sea and the Relationship of Tetrodotoxin with Gonadal Hormones. Mar Drugs 2023; 21:520. [PMID: 37888455 PMCID: PMC10608560 DOI: 10.3390/md21100520] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2023] [Revised: 09/26/2023] [Accepted: 09/27/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Given the dramatic increase in the L. sceleratus population in the southeastern Aegean Sea, there is growing interest in assessing the toxicity of this pufferfish and the factors controlling its tetrodotoxin (TTX) content. In the present study, liver, gonads, muscle and skin of 37 L. sceleratus specimens collected during May and June 2021 from the island of Rhodes, Greece, were subjected to multi-analyte profiling using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) in order to quantitate TTX and evaluate whether this biotoxin interrelates with hormones. TTX and its analogues 4-epiTTX, 11-deoxyTTX, 11-norTTX-6-ol, 4,9-anhydroTTX and 5,11/6,11-dideoxyTTX were detected in all tissue types. Liver and gonads were the most toxic tissues, with the highest TTX concentrations being observed in the ovaries of female specimens. Only 22% of the analyzed muscle samples were non-toxic according to the Japanese toxicity threshold (2.2 μg TTX eq g-1), confirming the high poisoning risk from the inadvertent consumption of this species. Four steroid hormones (i.e., cortisol, testosterone, androstenedione and β-estradiol) and the gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) were detected in the gonads. Androstenedione dominated in female specimens, while GnRH was more abundant in males. A positive correlation of TTX and its analogues with β-estradiol was observed. However, a model incorporating sex rather than β-estradiol as the independent variable proven to be more efficient in predicting TTX concentration, implying that other sex-related characteristics are more important than specific hormone-regulated processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thekla I Anastasiou
- Hellenic Centre for Marine Research (HCMR), Institute of Marine Biology, Biotechnology and Aquaculture, 71500 Heraklion, Greece
- Department of Biology, University of Crete, 70013 Heraklion, Greece
| | - Eirini Kagiampaki
- Hellenic Centre for Marine Research (HCMR), Institute of Marine Biology, Biotechnology and Aquaculture, 71500 Heraklion, Greece
| | - Gerasimos Kondylatos
- Hellenic Centre for Marine Research (HCMR), Hydrobiological Station of Rhodes, 85131 Rhodes, Greece
| | | | - Panagiota Peristeraki
- Hellenic Centre for Marine Research (HCMR), Institute of Marine Biological Resources and Inland Waters, 71500 Heraklion, Greece
| | - Manolis Mandalakis
- Hellenic Centre for Marine Research (HCMR), Institute of Marine Biology, Biotechnology and Aquaculture, 71500 Heraklion, Greece
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Alkassar M, Sanchez-Henao A, Reverté J, Barreiro L, Rambla-Alegre M, Leonardo S, Mandalakis M, Peristeraki P, Diogène J, Campàs M. Evaluation of Toxicity Equivalency Factors of Tetrodotoxin Analogues with a Neuro-2a Cell-Based Assay and Application to Puffer Fish from Greece. Mar Drugs 2023; 21:432. [PMID: 37623713 PMCID: PMC10455759 DOI: 10.3390/md21080432] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2023] [Revised: 07/27/2023] [Accepted: 07/29/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Tetrodotoxin (TTX) is a potent marine neurotoxin involved in poisoning cases, especially through the consumption of puffer fish. Knowledge of the toxicity equivalency factors (TEFs) of TTX analogues is crucial in monitoring programs to estimate the toxicity of samples analyzed with instrumental analysis methods. In this work, TTX analogues were isolated from the liver of a Lagocephalus sceleratus individual caught on South Crete coasts. A cell-based assay (CBA) for TTXs was optimized and applied to the establishment of the TEFs of 5,11-dideoxyTTX, 11-norTTX-6(S)-ol, 11-deoxyTTX and 5,6,11-trideoxyTTX. Results showed that all TTX analogues were less toxic than the parent TTX, their TEFs being in the range of 0.75-0.011. Then, different tissues of three Lagocephalus sceleratus individuals were analyzed with CBA and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). The obtained TEFs were applied to the TTX analogues' concentrations obtained by LC-MS/MS analysis, providing an indication of the overall toxicity of the sample. Information about the TEFs of TTX analogues is valuable for food safety control, allowing the estimation of the risk of fish products to consumers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mounira Alkassar
- Institut de Recerca i Tecnologia Agroalimentàries (IRTA), Ctra. Poble Nou km 5.5, 43540 La Ràpita, Spain; (M.A.); (A.S.-H.); (J.R.); (L.B.); (M.R.-A.); (S.L.); (J.D.)
| | - Andres Sanchez-Henao
- Institut de Recerca i Tecnologia Agroalimentàries (IRTA), Ctra. Poble Nou km 5.5, 43540 La Ràpita, Spain; (M.A.); (A.S.-H.); (J.R.); (L.B.); (M.R.-A.); (S.L.); (J.D.)
| | - Jaume Reverté
- Institut de Recerca i Tecnologia Agroalimentàries (IRTA), Ctra. Poble Nou km 5.5, 43540 La Ràpita, Spain; (M.A.); (A.S.-H.); (J.R.); (L.B.); (M.R.-A.); (S.L.); (J.D.)
| | - Lourdes Barreiro
- Institut de Recerca i Tecnologia Agroalimentàries (IRTA), Ctra. Poble Nou km 5.5, 43540 La Ràpita, Spain; (M.A.); (A.S.-H.); (J.R.); (L.B.); (M.R.-A.); (S.L.); (J.D.)
| | - Maria Rambla-Alegre
- Institut de Recerca i Tecnologia Agroalimentàries (IRTA), Ctra. Poble Nou km 5.5, 43540 La Ràpita, Spain; (M.A.); (A.S.-H.); (J.R.); (L.B.); (M.R.-A.); (S.L.); (J.D.)
| | - Sandra Leonardo
- Institut de Recerca i Tecnologia Agroalimentàries (IRTA), Ctra. Poble Nou km 5.5, 43540 La Ràpita, Spain; (M.A.); (A.S.-H.); (J.R.); (L.B.); (M.R.-A.); (S.L.); (J.D.)
| | - Manolis Mandalakis
- Institute of Marine Biology, Biotechnology and Aquaculture, Hellenic Centre for Marine Research, 71003 Heraklion, Greece;
| | - Panagiota Peristeraki
- Institute of Marine Biological Resources and Inland Waters, Hellenic Centre for Marine Research, 71003 Heraklion, Greece;
| | - Jorge Diogène
- Institut de Recerca i Tecnologia Agroalimentàries (IRTA), Ctra. Poble Nou km 5.5, 43540 La Ràpita, Spain; (M.A.); (A.S.-H.); (J.R.); (L.B.); (M.R.-A.); (S.L.); (J.D.)
| | - Mònica Campàs
- Institut de Recerca i Tecnologia Agroalimentàries (IRTA), Ctra. Poble Nou km 5.5, 43540 La Ràpita, Spain; (M.A.); (A.S.-H.); (J.R.); (L.B.); (M.R.-A.); (S.L.); (J.D.)
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8
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Malloggi C, Rizzo B, Giusti A, Guardone L, Gasperetti L, Dall’Ara S, Armani A. First Toxicological Analysis of the Pufferfish Sphoeroides pachygaster Collected in Italian Waters (Strait of Sicily): Role of Citizens Science in Monitoring Toxic Marine Species. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:1873. [PMID: 37889799 PMCID: PMC10252100 DOI: 10.3390/ani13111873] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2023] [Revised: 05/26/2023] [Accepted: 06/01/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Pufferfish (Tetraodontidae) inhabiting the Mediterranean Sea may represent an emerging public health risk due to the possible accumulation of marine neurotoxins such as tetrodotoxin (TTXs) and saxitoxin (STXs) in their tissues. In this study, the presence of pufferfish species in the Strait of Sicily (Lampedusa Island, Italy) was investigated using a citizen science (CS) approach, involving local fishermen. Samples (liver, intestine, gonads, muscle, skin) from 20 specimens were sent to the National Reference Laboratory on Marine Biotoxins for TTXs detection using a validated HILIC-MS/MS method on fish tissue. The presence of STXs was also screened in part of the specimens. Overall, 56 specimens identified as Sphoeroides pachygaster (Müller &Troschel, 1848) were collected. Data on their total length, body weight, fishing method and catch area (with relative depth temperature and salinity) were analyzed and compared with the S. pachygaster records reported in literature which were updated to 2022. All the analysed tissues were found to be negative for both TTXs and STXs. CS played an essential role in monitoring potentially toxic marine species in this investigation. Outcomes from this study, which is the first investigating S. pachygaster toxicity in Italian waters, may provide useful data for the proper assessment of this emerging risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Malloggi
- FishLab, Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Pisa, Viale delle Piagge 2, 56124 Pisa, Italy; (C.M.); (A.G.); (L.G.)
| | - Biagio Rizzo
- FishLab, Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Pisa, Viale delle Piagge 2, 56124 Pisa, Italy; (C.M.); (A.G.); (L.G.)
| | - Alice Giusti
- FishLab, Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Pisa, Viale delle Piagge 2, 56124 Pisa, Italy; (C.M.); (A.G.); (L.G.)
| | - Lisa Guardone
- FishLab, Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Pisa, Viale delle Piagge 2, 56124 Pisa, Italy; (C.M.); (A.G.); (L.G.)
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Piemonte, Liguria e Valle d’Aosta, 10154 Torino, Italy
| | - Laura Gasperetti
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Lazio e della Toscana, 00178 Roma, Italy;
| | - Sonia Dall’Ara
- Fondazione Centro Ricerche Marine, National Reference Laboratory on Marine Biotoxins, Viale A. Vespucci 2, 47042 Cesenatico, Italy;
| | - Andrea Armani
- FishLab, Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Pisa, Viale delle Piagge 2, 56124 Pisa, Italy; (C.M.); (A.G.); (L.G.)
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9
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Lako JV, Naisilisili S, Vuki VC, Kuridrani N, Agyei D. Local and Traditional Ecological Knowledge of Fish Poisoning in Fiji. Toxins (Basel) 2023; 15:223. [PMID: 36977114 PMCID: PMC10051453 DOI: 10.3390/toxins15030223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2023] [Revised: 02/21/2023] [Accepted: 03/06/2023] [Indexed: 03/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Fish poisoning (FP) affects human health, trade and livelihood in Fiji, where management has depended mainly on traditional ecological knowledge (TEK). This paper investigated and documented this TEK through a 2-day stakeholder workshop, group consultation, in-depth interviews, field observations, and analyses of survey data from the Ministry of Fisheries, Fiji. Six TEK topics were identified and classified as preventative and treatment options. The preventive approach involves identifying toxic reef fishes, the spawning season of edible seaworms, hotspot areas of toxic fishes, folk tests, and locating and removing toxic organs. For example, 34 reef fish species were identified as toxic. The FP season was associated with the spawning of balolo (edible seaworm) and the warmer months of October to April (cyclone seasons). Two well-known toxic hotspots associated with an abundance of bulewa (soft coral) were identified. Folk tests and locating and removing toxic fish organs are also practised for moray eels and pufferfish. At the same time, various locally available herbal plants are used to treat FP as the second line of defence. The TEK collated in this work can help local authorities better identify the sources of toxicity, and applying TEK preventive measures could stem the tide of fish poisoning in Fiji.
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Al-Sulaimani S, Titelbaum NV, Ward RE, Zahran TE, Chalhoub S, Kazzi Z. Case Report of Tetrodotoxin Poisoning from Lagocephalus sceleratus in Lebanon. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2022; 19:14648. [PMID: 36429360 PMCID: PMC9690907 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph192214648] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2022] [Revised: 10/28/2022] [Accepted: 11/03/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
The Indo-Pacific pufferfish Lagocephalus sceleratus is a tetrodotoxin-containing species believed to have entered the Mediterranean Sea through the Suez Canal. Tetrodotoxin (TTX) is primarily found in the liver, intestine, and ovaries of L. sceleratus. We report a case of a patient with TTX poisoning from L. sceleratus consumption in Lebanon. History of ingestion, clinical presentation, and exam findings were obtained during phone-based consultation with the patient and intensive care physician. A 46-year-old male presented to a hospital in Lebanon with perioral and extremity numbness as well as dizziness 1 h after ingestion of an L. sceleratus fish. He had caught and prepared the fish himself and had eaten a skinless piece of flesh. Over the following 6 h he also developed ataxia and generalized body numbness. His treatment included systemic hydrocortisone, antihistamine, activated charcoal, and fluids. He was admitted to the intensive care unit, where he developed self-limited, stable sinus bradycardia. He was discharged home on hospital day 5 with residual lightheadedness that improved over several days. This is one of the first reported cases of tetrodotoxin poisoning due to L. sceleratus in Lebanon. Public awareness regarding the toxicity of this species after any ingestion is essential to prevent toxicity and death.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suad Al-Sulaimani
- Division of Medical Toxicology, Department of Emergency Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30307, USA
- Georgia Poison Center, Atlanta, GA 30303, USA
| | - Nicholas Vincent Titelbaum
- Division of Medical Toxicology, Department of Emergency Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30307, USA
- Georgia Poison Center, Atlanta, GA 30303, USA
| | - Ricardo El Ward
- Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Rafic Hariri University Campus, Lebanese University, Hadath 6573, Lebanon
| | - Tharwat El Zahran
- Division of Medical Toxicology, Department of Emergency Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30307, USA
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut 1107 2020, Lebanon
| | - Sana Chalhoub
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut 1107 2020, Lebanon
| | - Ziad Kazzi
- Division of Medical Toxicology, Department of Emergency Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30307, USA
- Georgia Poison Center, Atlanta, GA 30303, USA
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11
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Katikou P, Gokbulut C, Kosker AR, Campàs M, Ozogul F. An Updated Review of Tetrodotoxin and Its Peculiarities. Mar Drugs 2022; 20:md20010047. [PMID: 35049902 PMCID: PMC8780202 DOI: 10.3390/md20010047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2021] [Revised: 12/28/2021] [Accepted: 12/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Tetrodotoxin (TTX) is a crystalline, weakly basic, colorless organic substance and is one of the most potent marine toxins known. Although TTX was first isolated from pufferfish, it has been found in numerous other marine organisms and a few terrestrial species. Moreover, tetrodotoxication is still an important health problem today, as TTX has no known antidote. TTX poisonings were most commonly reported from Japan, Thailand, and China, but today the risk of TTX poisoning is spreading around the world. Recent studies have shown that TTX-containing fish are being found in other regions of the Pacific and in the Indian Ocean, as well as the Mediterranean Sea. This review aims to summarize pertinent information available to date on the structure, origin, distribution, mechanism of action of TTX and analytical methods used for the detection of TTX, as well as on TTX-containing organisms, symptoms of TTX poisoning, and incidence worldwide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Panagiota Katikou
- Ministry of Rural Development and Food, Directorate of Research, Innovation and Education, Hapsa & Karatasou 1, 54626 Thessaloniki, Greece
- Correspondence: (P.K.); (F.O.)
| | - Cengiz Gokbulut
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Balikesir University, Balikesir 10145, Turkey;
| | - Ali Rıza Kosker
- Department of Seafood Processing Technology, Faculty of Fisheries, Cukurova University, Adana 01330, Turkey;
| | - Mònica Campàs
- IRTA, Ctra Poble Nou km 5.5, 43540 Sant Carles de la Ràpita, Spain;
| | - Fatih Ozogul
- Department of Seafood Processing Technology, Faculty of Fisheries, Cukurova University, Adana 01330, Turkey;
- Correspondence: (P.K.); (F.O.)
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