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Boulanger C, Pawlik A, O'Connor S, Sémah AM, Reyes MC, Ingicco T. The Exploitation of Toxic Fish from the Terminal Pleistocene in Maritime Southeast Asia: A Case Study from the Mindoro Archaeological Sites, Philippines. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:2113. [PMID: 37443911 DOI: 10.3390/ani13132113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2023] [Revised: 06/18/2023] [Accepted: 06/23/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Representatives of the Diodontidae family (porcupinefish) are known to have been fished by prehistoric Indo-Pacific populations; however, the antiquity of the use of this family is thus far unknown. We report here on the presence of Diodontidae in the archaeological sites of Bubog I, II, and Bilat in Mindoro, Philippines, dating back to c. 13,000 BP (Before Present). This evidence demonstrates the early exploitation by islanders of poisonous fish. Every part of porcupinefish can be toxic, but the toxicity is mostly concentrated in some organs, while other parts are edible. The continuous presence of Diodontidae remains throughout the stratigraphic record of these Philippines shell middens suggests that porcupinefish were prepared by human inhabitants of the sites to render them safe for consumption, indicating an advanced cultural knowledge of the preparation needed to separate the toxic principle from the edible parts. This constitutes one of the rare examples of poison processing by humans, aside from the contentious wooden stick poison applicator from Border Cave (South Africa).
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Affiliation(s)
- Clara Boulanger
- UMR 7194 Histoire Naturelle de l'Homme Préhistorique, Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, 75005 Paris, France
- Archaeology and Natural History, School of Culture, History and Language, College of Asia and the Pacific, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia
- Japan Society for the Promotion of Science International Research Fellow, Department of Modern Society and Civilization, National Museum of Ethnology, Osaka 565-8511, Japan
| | - Alfred Pawlik
- Department of Sociology and Anthropology, School of Social Sciences, Ateneo de Manila University, Quezon City 1108, Philippines
- TRACES ASIA, 3F Eduardo J. Aboitiz Sandbox Zone, Areté, Ateneo de Manila University, Quezon City 1108, Philippines
- Department of Early Prehistory and Quaternary Ecology, Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen, Schloss Hohentübingen, 72074 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Sue O'Connor
- Archaeology and Natural History, School of Culture, History and Language, College of Asia and the Pacific, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Australian Biodiversity and Heritage, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia
| | - Anne-Marie Sémah
- UMR 7194 Histoire Naturelle de l'Homme Préhistorique, Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Marian C Reyes
- The National Museum of the Philippines, Manila 1000, Philippines
- School of Archaeology, University of the Philippines Diliman, Quezon City 1101, Philippines
| | - Thomas Ingicco
- UMR 7194 Histoire Naturelle de l'Homme Préhistorique, Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, 75005 Paris, France
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Das L, Deb S, Arakawa E, Yamasaki S, Das SK. Pufferfish (Tetraodon cutcutia) Sampled from a Freshwater River Serves as an Intermediate Reservoir of a Sucrose Nonfermenting Variant of Vibrio cholerae PS-4. Microbiol Spectr 2022; 10:e0122121. [PMID: 35171023 PMCID: PMC8849079 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.01221-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2021] [Accepted: 01/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
We describe the genomic characteristics of Vibrio cholerae strain PS-4 that is unable to ferment sucrose on a thiosulfate citrate bile salt sucrose (TCBS) agar medium. This bacterium was isolated from the skin mucus of a freshwater pufferfish. The genome of strain PS-4 was sequenced to understand the sucrose nonfermenting phenotype. The gene encoding the sucrose-specific phosphotransferase system IIB (sucR) was absent, resulting in the defective sucrose fermenting phenotype. In contrast, genes encoding the glucose-specific transport system IIB (ptsG) and fructose-specific transport system IIB (fruA) showed acid production while growing with respective sugars. The overall genome relatedness indices (OGRI), such as in silico DNA-DNA hybridization (isDDH), average nucleotide identity (ANI), and average amino acid identity (AAI), were above the threshold value, that is, 70% and 95 to 96%, respectively. Phylogenomic analysis based on genome-wide core genes and the nonrecombinant core genes showed that strain PS-4 clustered with Vibrio cholerae ATCC 14035T. Further, genes encoding cholera toxin (ctx), zonula occludens toxin (zot), accessory cholera enterotoxin (ace), toxin-coregulated pilus (tcp), and lipopolysaccharide biosynthesis (rfb) were absent. PS-4 showed hemolytic activity and reacted strongly to the R antibody. Therefore, the Vibrio cholerae from the pufferfish adds a new ecological niche of this bacterium. IMPORTANCE Vibrio cholerae is native of aquatic environments. In general, V. cholerae ferments sucrose on thiosulfate citrate bile salt sucrose (TCBS) agar and produces yellow colonies. V. cholerae strain PS-4 described in this study is a sucrose nonfermenting variant associated with pufferfish skin and does not produce yellow colonies on TCBS agar. Genes encoding sucrose-specific phosphotransferase system IIB (sucR) were absent. The observed phenotype in the distinct metabolic pathway indicates niche-specific adaptive evolution for this bacterium. Our study suggests that the nonfermenting phenotype of V. cholerae strains on TCBS agar may not always be considered for species delineation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lipika Das
- Department of Biotechnology, Institute of Life Sciences, Nalco Square, Bhubaneswar, India
- Regional Center of Biotechnology, NCR Biotech Science Cluster, Faridabad, India
| | - Sushanta Deb
- Department of Biotechnology, Institute of Life Sciences, Nalco Square, Bhubaneswar, India
| | - Eiji Arakawa
- Department of Bacteriology I, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Shinji Yamasaki
- Department of Veterinary Science, Graduate School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Osaka Prefecture University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Subrata K. Das
- Department of Biotechnology, Institute of Life Sciences, Nalco Square, Bhubaneswar, India
- Regional Center of Biotechnology, NCR Biotech Science Cluster, Faridabad, India
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Shkembi X, Skouridou V, Svobodova M, Leonardo S, Bashammakh AS, Alyoubi AO, Campàs M, O Sullivan CK. Hybrid Antibody-Aptamer Assay for Detection of Tetrodotoxin in Pufferfish. Anal Chem 2021; 93:14810-14819. [PMID: 34697940 PMCID: PMC8581965 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.1c03671] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
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The marine toxin
tetrodotoxin (TTX) poses a great risk to public
health safety due to its severe paralytic effects after ingestion.
Seafood poisoning caused by the consumption of contaminated marine
species like pufferfish due to its expansion to nonendemic areas has
increased the need for fast and reliable detection of the toxin to
effectively implement prevention strategies. Liquid chromatography-mass
spectrometry is considered the most accurate method, although competitive
immunoassays have also been reported. In this work, we sought to develop
an aptamer-based assay for the rapid, sensitive, and cost-effective
detection of TTX in pufferfish. Using capture-SELEX combined with
next-generation sequencing, aptamers were identified, and their binding
properties were evaluated. Finally, a highly sensitive and user-friendly
hybrid antibody–aptamer sandwich assay was developed with superior
performance compared to several assays reported in the literature
and commercial immunoassay kits. The assay was successfully applied
to the quantification of TTX in pufferfish extracts, and the results
obtained correlated very well with a competitive magnetic bead-based
immunoassay performed in parallel for comparison. This is one of the
very few works reported in the literature of such hybrid assays for
small-molecule analytes whose compatibility with field samples is
also demonstrated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xhensila Shkembi
- Interfibio, Nanobiotechnology and Bioanalysis Group, Departament d'Enginyeria Química, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Avinguda Paisos Catalans 26, 43007 Tarragona, Spain
| | - Vasso Skouridou
- Interfibio, Nanobiotechnology and Bioanalysis Group, Departament d'Enginyeria Química, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Avinguda Paisos Catalans 26, 43007 Tarragona, Spain
| | - Marketa Svobodova
- Interfibio, Nanobiotechnology and Bioanalysis Group, Departament d'Enginyeria Química, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Avinguda Paisos Catalans 26, 43007 Tarragona, Spain
| | - Sandra Leonardo
- IRTA, Ctra. Poble Nou km 5.5, 43540 Sant Carles de la Ràpita, Spain
| | - Abdulaziz S Bashammakh
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University, P.O. Box 80203, 21589 Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Abdulrahman O Alyoubi
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University, P.O. Box 80203, 21589 Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Mònica Campàs
- IRTA, Ctra. Poble Nou km 5.5, 43540 Sant Carles de la Ràpita, Spain
| | - Ciara K O Sullivan
- Interfibio, Nanobiotechnology and Bioanalysis Group, Departament d'Enginyeria Química, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Avinguda Paisos Catalans 26, 43007 Tarragona, Spain.,Institució Catalana de Recerca I Estudis Avancats (ICREA), Passeig Lluís Companys 23, 08010 Barcelona, Spain
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Joseph TC, Goswami DB, Pradeep MA, Anupama TK, Parmar E, Renuka V, Remya S, Ravishankar CN. Pufferfish poisoning from Arothron stellatus: The first confirmed case in India with exact DNA sequencing-based species identification. Toxicon 2021; 200:180-182. [PMID: 34332005 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2021.07.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2021] [Revised: 07/23/2021] [Accepted: 07/26/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
A puffer fish poisoning case was reported from the coastal city of Veraval in the Gujarat state of India with patient reporting symptoms of giddiness, vertigo, aphasia and heaviness of head following consumption of cooked fish. Treatment was purely symptomatic and supportive. The patient was discharged from the hospital in a stable condition after 4 days. The suspected fish species was later identified using DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid) sequencing as Arothron stellatus with 100% identity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Toms C Joseph
- ICAR-Central Institute of Fisheries Technology, Cochin, 682 029, Kerala, India.
| | - D B Goswami
- Shivam ICU and Trauma Centre, Veraval, 362 269, Gujarat, India
| | - M A Pradeep
- Marine Biotechnology Division, ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute, Cochin, 682 018, Kerala, India
| | - T K Anupama
- Veraval Research Centre of ICAR-Central Institute of Fisheries Technology, Veraval, 362 269, India
| | - Ejaz Parmar
- Veraval Research Centre of ICAR-Central Institute of Fisheries Technology, Veraval, 362 269, India
| | - V Renuka
- Veraval Research Centre of ICAR-Central Institute of Fisheries Technology, Veraval, 362 269, India
| | - S Remya
- ICAR-Central Institute of Fisheries Technology, Cochin, 682 029, Kerala, India
| | - C N Ravishankar
- ICAR-Central Institute of Fisheries Technology, Cochin, 682 029, Kerala, India
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Almeida P, Diaz R, Hernandez F, Ferrer G. Blow: a case of pufferfish intoxication in South Florida. BMJ Case Rep 2019; 12:12/6/e229272. [PMID: 31177198 DOI: 10.1136/bcr-2019-229272] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
We report the case of a 43-year-old African American man with a history of hypertension and chronic kidney disease presenting with hypertensive emergency and bulbar paralysis in a descending fashion, which ultimately led to acute respiratory failure. He ingested pufferfish liver during the preceding 4 hours prior to presentation, as well as canned foods and cocaine over the prior 3 days. He had a complicated hospital course requiring intubation and mechanical ventilation, as well as the development of acute respiratory distress syndrome and acute renal failure requiring haemodialysis. This case exemplifies the classic manifestations of tetrodotoxin poisoning with some unique overlapping features, in the setting of an interesting social history.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patricia Almeida
- Pulmonary Medicine, Aventura Hospital and Medical Center, Aventura, Florida, USA
| | - Raiko Diaz
- Pulmonary Medicine, Aventura Hospital and Medical Center, Aventura, Florida, USA
| | - Felix Hernandez
- Pulmonary Medicine, Aventura Hospital and Medical Center, Aventura, Florida, USA
| | - Gustavo Ferrer
- Pulmonary Medicine, Aventura Hospital and Medical Center, Aventura, Florida, USA
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Tamele IJ, Silva M, Vasconcelos V. The Incidence of Tetrodotoxin and Its Analogs in the Indian Ocean and the Red Sea. Mar Drugs 2019; 17:E28. [PMID: 30621279 PMCID: PMC6357042 DOI: 10.3390/md17010028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2018] [Revised: 12/28/2018] [Accepted: 12/29/2018] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Tetrodotoxin (TTX) is a potent marine neurotoxin with bacterial origin. To date, around 28 analogs of TTX are known, but only 12 were detected in marine organisms, namely TTX, 11-oxoTTX, 11-deoxyTTX, 11-norTTX-6(R)-ol, 11-norTTX-6(S)-ol, 4-epiTTX, 4,9-anhydroTTX, 5,6,11-trideoxyTTX, 4-CysTTX, 5-deoxyTTX, 5,11-dideoxyTTX, and 6,11-dideoxyTTX. TTX and its derivatives are involved in many cases of seafood poisoning in many parts of the world due to their occurrence in different marine species of human consumption such as fish, gastropods, and bivalves. Currently, this neurotoxin group is not monitored in many parts of the world including in the Indian Ocean area, even with reported outbreaks of seafood poisoning involving puffer fish, which is one of the principal TTX vectors know since Egyptian times. Thus, the main objective of this review was to assess the incidence of TTXs in seafood and associated seafood poisonings in the Indian Ocean and the Red Sea. Most reported data in this geographical area are associated with seafood poisoning caused by different species of puffer fish through the recognition of TTX poisoning symptoms and not by TTX detection techniques. This scenario shows the need of data regarding TTX prevalence, geographical distribution, and its vectors in this area to better assess human health risk and build effective monitoring programs to protect the health of consumers in Indian Ocean area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isidro José Tamele
- CIIMAR/CIMAR-Interdisciplinary Center of Marine and Environmental Research, University of Porto, Terminal de Cruzeiros do Porto, Avenida General Norton de Matos, 4450-238 Matosinhos, Portugal.
- Institute of Biomedical Science Abel Salazar, University of Porto, R. Jorge de Viterbo Ferreira 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal.
- Faculty of Sciences, Eduardo Mondlane University, Av. Julius Nyerere, nr 3453, Campus Principal, 257 Maputo, Mozambique.
| | - Marisa Silva
- CIIMAR/CIMAR-Interdisciplinary Center of Marine and Environmental Research, University of Porto, Terminal de Cruzeiros do Porto, Avenida General Norton de Matos, 4450-238 Matosinhos, Portugal.
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre, 4619-007 Porto, Portugal.
| | - Vitor Vasconcelos
- CIIMAR/CIMAR-Interdisciplinary Center of Marine and Environmental Research, University of Porto, Terminal de Cruzeiros do Porto, Avenida General Norton de Matos, 4450-238 Matosinhos, Portugal.
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre, 4619-007 Porto, Portugal.
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Murk AJ, Nicolas J, Smulders FJ, Bürk C, Gerssen A. Marine biotoxins: types of poisoning, underlying mechanisms of action and risk management programmes. CHEMICAL HAZARDS IN FOODS OF ANIMAL ORIGIN 2019. [DOI: 10.3920/978-90-8686-877-3_09] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Albertinka J. Murk
- Department of Animal Sciences, Marine Animal Ecology group, Wageningen University and Research, P.O. Box 338, 6700 AH Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - Jonathan Nicolas
- 68300 Saint-Louis, France, formerly affiliated with Division of Toxicology, Wageningen University and Research Centre, the Netherlands
| | - Frans J.M. Smulders
- Institute of Meat Hygiene, Meat Technology and Food Science, Department of Farm Animals and Veterinary Public Health, University of Veterinary Medicine, Veterinärplatz 1, 1210 Vienna, Austria
| | - Christine Bürk
- Milchwirstschaftliche Untersuchungs- und Versuchsanstalt (MUVA) Kempten, GmbH, Ignaz-Kiechle-Straße 20-22, 87437 Kempten (Allgäu), Germany
| | - Arjen Gerssen
- RIKILT, Wageningen University & Research, P.O. Box 230, 6708 WB Wageningen, the Netherlands
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8
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Brown AC. Kidney toxicity related to herbs and dietary supplements: Online table of case reports. Part 3 of 5 series. Food Chem Toxicol 2018; 107:502-519. [PMID: 28755953 DOI: 10.1016/j.fct.2016.07.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2016] [Revised: 06/30/2016] [Accepted: 07/22/2016] [Indexed: 02/09/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND No tabular summary of potentially life-threatening, kidney-toxic dietary supplements (DS; includes herbs) based on PubMed case reports is currently available online and continually updated to forewarn United States consumers, clinicians, and companies manufacturing DS. The purpose of this review was to create an online research summary table of kidney toxicity case reports related to DS. METHODS Documented PubMed case reports (1966 to May 2016, and cross-referencing) of DS appearing to contribute to kidney toxicity were listed in "DS Toxic Tables." Keywords included "herb" or "dietary supplement" combined with "kidney" to generate an overview list, and possibly "toxicity" to narrow the selection. Case reports were excluded if they involved herb combinations (some exceptions), Chinese herb mixtures, teas of mixed herb contents, mushrooms, poisonous plants, self-harm, excessive doses (except vitamins/minerals), legal or illegal drugs, drug-herbal interactions, and confounders of drugs or diseases. Since commercial DS often include a combination of ingredients, they were treated separately; so were foods. A few foods with kidney-toxic effects were listed in a fourth table. The spectrum of herbal or DS-induced kidney injuries included kidney stones, nephritis, nephrotic syndrome, necrosis, acute kidney injury (AKI; previously known as acute renal failure [ARF]), chronic kidney disease, kidney transplant, and death. RESULTS Approximately 7 herbs (minus 4 no longer for sale) and 10 dietary supplements (minus 3 excluded due to excessive doses + germanium that is no longer sold) have been related to kidney injury case reports published in PubMed (+crosslisting) in the last 50 + years (1966 to May 2016). The implicated herbs include Chinese yew (Taxus celbica) extract, impila (Callilepis laureola), morning cypress (Cupressus funebris Endl), St. John's wort (Hypericum perforatum), thundergod vine (Tripterygium wilfordii hook F), tribulus (Tribulus terrestris) and wormwood (Artemisia herba-alba). No longer sold in the United States are chocolate vine or mu tong (Caulis aristolochiae), guang fang ji (Aristolochia fangchi), ma huang (Ephedra sinica), and Tenshin Tokishigyaku-ka-goshuyu-shokyo-to. The DS include bile (sheep), chlorella, chromium (Cr), CKLS, creatine, gallbladder (fish), glucosamine, hydrazine, N.O.-Xplode, Spanish fly, and excess intakes of vitamins A, C, and D. Germanium (Ge) is not available for sale. The top two DS with the largest number of reported publications, but not always case reports, in descending order, were the aristolochic acid-containing herbs guang fang ji (mistaken identity) and chocolate vine or mu tong. The remaining DS featured one to three publications over a 50+ year period. Numerous case reports were reported for kidney-toxic foods: djenkol bean, gallbladders (carp fish, pufferfish, & snake), and star fruit (only in chronic kidney disease patients), and uncooked yam powder or juice. CONCLUSION This online "DS Toxic Table" provides clinicians, consumers, and manufacturers with a list of herbs that could potentially contribute to kidney injuries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy Christine Brown
- Department of Complementary and Alternative Medicine, John A. Burns School of Medicine, 651 Ilalo Street, MEB 223, Honolulu, HI, USA; University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, HI, USA.
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Nicolas J, Hoogenboom RL, Hendriksen PJ, Bodero M, Bovee TF, Rietjens IM, Gerssen A. Marine biotoxins and associated outbreaks following seafood consumption: Prevention and surveillance in the 21st century. GLOBAL FOOD SECURITY-AGRICULTURE POLICY ECONOMICS AND ENVIRONMENT 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.gfs.2017.03.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
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Knutsen HK, Alexander J, Barregård L, Bignami M, Brüschweiler B, Ceccatelli S, Cottrill B, Dinovi M, Edler L, Grasl-Kraupp B, Hogstrand C, Hoogenboom LR, Nebbia CS, Oswald IP, Rose M, Roudot AC, Schwerdtle T, Vleminckx C, Vollmer G, Wallace H, Arnich N, Benford D, Botana L, Viviani B, Arcella D, Binaglia M, Horvath Z, Steinkellner H, van Manen M, Petersen A. Risks for public health related to the presence of tetrodotoxin (TTX) and TTX analogues in marine bivalves and gastropods. EFSA J 2017; 15:e04752. [PMID: 32625458 PMCID: PMC7010203 DOI: 10.2903/j.efsa.2017.4752] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Tetrodotoxin (TTX) and its analogues are produced by marine bacteria and have been detected in marine bivalves and gastropods from European waters. The European Commission asked EFSA for a scientific opinion on the risks to public health related to the presence of TTX and TTX analogues in marine bivalves and gastropods. The Panel on Contaminants in the Food Chain reviewed the available literature but did not find support for the minimum lethal dose for humans of 2 mg, mentioned in various reviews. Some human case reports describe serious effects at a dose of 0.2 mg, corresponding to 4 μg/kg body weight (bw). However, the uncertainties on the actual exposure in the studies preclude their use for derivation of an acute reference dose (ARfD). Instead, a group ARfD of 0.25 μg/kg bw, applying to TTX and its analogues, was derived based on a TTX dose of 25 μg/kg bw at which no apathy was observed in an acute oral study with mice, applying a standard uncertainty factor of 100. Estimated relative potencies for analogues are lower than that of TTX but are associated with a high degree of uncertainty. Based on the occurrence data submitted to EFSA and reported consumption days only, average and P95 exposures of 0.00-0.09 and 0.00-0.03 μg/kg bw, respectively, were calculated. Using a large portion size of 400 g bivalves and P95 occurrence levels of TTX, with exception of oysters, the exposure was below the group ARfD in all consumer groups. A concentration below 44 μg TTX equivalents/kg shellfish meat, based on a large portion size of 400 g, was considered not to result in adverse effects in humans. Liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectroscopy (LC-MS/MS) methods are the most suitable for identification and quantification of TTX and its analogues, with LOQs between 1 and 25 μg/kg.
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12
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Chen TY, Hsieh CH, Hwang DF. Development of standardized methodology for identifying toxins in clinical samples and fish species associated with tetrodotoxin-borne poisoning incidents. J Food Drug Anal 2016; 24:9-14. [PMID: 28911413 PMCID: PMC9345434 DOI: 10.1016/j.jfda.2015.05.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2015] [Revised: 05/06/2015] [Accepted: 05/26/2015] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Tetrodotoxin (TTX) is a naturally occurring toxin in food, especially in puffer fish. TTX poisoning is observed frequently in South East Asian regions. In TTX-derived food poisoning outbreaks, the amount of TTX recovered from suspicious fish samples or leftovers, and residual levels from biological fluids of victims are typically trace. However, liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry and liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry methods have been demonstrated to qualitatively and quantitatively determine TTX in clinical samples from victims. Identification and validation of the TTX-originating seafood species responsible for a food poisoning incident is needed. A polymerase chain reaction-based method on mitochondrial DNA analysis is useful for identification of fish species. This review aims to collect pertinent information available on TTX-borne food poisoning incidents with a special emphasis on the analytical methods employed for TTX detection in clinical laboratories as well as for the identification of TTX-bearing species.
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Tetrodotoxin, an Extremely Potent Marine Neurotoxin: Distribution, Toxicity, Origin and Therapeutical Uses. Mar Drugs 2015; 13:6384-406. [PMID: 26492253 PMCID: PMC4626696 DOI: 10.3390/md13106384] [Citation(s) in RCA: 124] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2015] [Revised: 09/28/2015] [Accepted: 10/04/2015] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Tetrodotoxin (TTX) is a potent neurotoxin responsible for many human intoxications and fatalities each year. The origin of TTX is unknown, but in the pufferfish, it seems to be produced by endosymbiotic bacteria that often seem to be passed down the food chain. The ingestion of contaminated pufferfish, considered the most delicious fish in Japan, is the usual route of toxicity. This neurotoxin, reported as a threat to human health in Asian countries, has spread to the Pacific and Mediterranean, due to the increase of temperature waters worldwide. TTX, for which there is no known antidote, inhibits sodium channel producing heart failure in many cases and consequently death. In Japan, a regulatory limit of 2 mg eq TTX/kg was established, although the restaurant preparation of “fugu” is strictly controlled by law and only chefs qualified are allowed to prepare the fish. Due to its paralysis effect, this neurotoxin could be used in the medical field as an analgesic to treat some cancer pains.
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Panão I, Carrascosa C, Jaber JR, Raposo A. Puffer fish and its consumption: To eat or not to eat? FOOD REVIEWS INTERNATIONAL 2015. [DOI: 10.1080/87559129.2015.1075213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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Liu SH, Tseng CY, Lin CC. Is neostigmine effective in severe pufferfish-associated tetrodotoxin poisoning? Clin Toxicol (Phila) 2014; 53:13-21. [DOI: 10.3109/15563650.2014.980581] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
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Bane V, Lehane M, Dikshit M, O'Riordan A, Furey A. Tetrodotoxin: chemistry, toxicity, source, distribution and detection. Toxins (Basel) 2014; 6:693-755. [PMID: 24566728 PMCID: PMC3942760 DOI: 10.3390/toxins6020693] [Citation(s) in RCA: 202] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2013] [Revised: 01/24/2014] [Accepted: 01/26/2014] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Tetrodotoxin (TTX) is a naturally occurring toxin that has been responsible for human intoxications and fatalities. Its usual route of toxicity is via the ingestion of contaminated puffer fish which are a culinary delicacy, especially in Japan. TTX was believed to be confined to regions of South East Asia, but recent studies have demonstrated that the toxin has spread to regions in the Pacific and the Mediterranean. There is no known antidote to TTX which is a powerful sodium channel inhibitor. This review aims to collect pertinent information available to date on TTX and its analogues with a special emphasis on the structure, aetiology, distribution, effects and the analytical methods employed for its detection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vaishali Bane
- Mass Spectrometry Research Centre (MSRC) and PROTEOBIO Research Groups, Department of Chemistry, Cork Institute of Technology, Rossa Avenue, Bishopstown, Cork, Ireland.
| | - Mary Lehane
- Mass Spectrometry Research Centre (MSRC) and PROTEOBIO Research Groups, Department of Chemistry, Cork Institute of Technology, Rossa Avenue, Bishopstown, Cork, Ireland.
| | | | - Alan O'Riordan
- Nanotechnology Group, Tyndall National Institute, University College Cork, Lee Maltings, Cork, Ireland.
| | - Ambrose Furey
- Mass Spectrometry Research Centre (MSRC) and PROTEOBIO Research Groups, Department of Chemistry, Cork Institute of Technology, Rossa Avenue, Bishopstown, Cork, Ireland.
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Saraya A, Sintunawa C, Wacharapluesadee S, Swangpun K, Dumrongchua S, Wilde H, Hemachudha T. Marine Fish Toxins in Thailand: Report of 6 Suspected Ciguatera Cases. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2014. [DOI: 10.4236/crcm.2014.35065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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A case report of puffer fish poisoning in singapore. Case Rep Med 2013; 2013:206971. [PMID: 24368916 PMCID: PMC3867830 DOI: 10.1155/2013/206971] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2013] [Revised: 10/02/2013] [Accepted: 10/30/2013] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Although many Asians regard puffer fish as a delicacy since ancient times, puffer fish (Lageocephalus scitalleratus) is also a well-known source of possibly lethal food poisoning. The fish is gaining popularity in Singapore and can be found in quite a few restaurants now. Puffer fish contains tetrodotoxin (TTX), a potent poison affecting the neural pathway. Puffer fish poisoning may cause a constellation of symptoms, such as giddiness, numbness and tingling sensation of the mouth, paresthesia, and muscle weakness. Severe cases may present with respiratory depression, circulatory failure, and death. TTX poisonings have been reported in Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Bangladesh, and the United States (Haque et al. 2008). We report a case of mild poisoning and suggest observation for such cases.
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Islam MS, Luby SP, Rahman M, Parveen S, Homaira N, Begum NH, Dawlat Khan AKM, Sultana R, Akhter S, Gurley ES. Social ecological analysis of an outbreak of pufferfish egg poisoning in a coastal area of Bangladesh. Am J Trop Med Hyg 2011; 85:498-503. [PMID: 21896811 DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.2011.10-0629] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
Recurrent outbreaks of marine pufferfish poisoning in Bangladesh highlight the need to understand the context in which the outbreaks occurred. In a recent outbreak investigation, a multidisciplinary team conducted a mixed-method study to identify the demography and clinical manifestation of the victims and to explore different uses of pufferfish, and local buying, selling, and processing practices. The outbreak primarily affected a low income household where an elderly woman collected and cooked pufferfish egg curry. Nine persons consumed the curry, and symptoms developed in 6 (67%) of these persons. Symptoms included vomiting, diarrhea, paresis, and tingling sensation; 2 (22%) persons died. The unstable income of the affected family, food crisis, and the public disposal of unsafe pufferfish byproducts all contributed to the outbreak. A multi-level intervention should be developed and disseminated with the participation of target communities to discourage unsafe discarding of pufferfish scraps and to improve the community knowledge about the risk of consuming pufferfish.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Saiful Islam
- International Centre for Diarrheal Disease Research, Bangladesh, Dhaka, Bangladesh.
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