Premium
Paralytic shellfish poisoning: a potential public health problem
Author(s) -
Lehane Leigh
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
medical journal of australia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.904
H-Index - 131
eISSN - 1326-5377
pISSN - 0025-729X
DOI - 10.5694/j.1326-5377.2001.tb143508.x
Subject(s) - paralytic shellfish poisoning , shellfish , paralysis , algal bloom , marine toxin , medicine , fishery , ciguatera , public health , food poisoning , environmental health , toxicology , biology , phytoplankton , aquatic animal , ecology , surgery , fish <actinopterygii> , pathology , biochemistry , nutrient , toxin
Paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) is a serious illness in which neurological symptoms predominate. Recovery is usually complete and uncomplicated, but in severe cases there may be respiratory paralysis and death. Most cases follow consumption of bivalve molluscs that have filter‐fed on toxic marine microalgae (phytoplankton). Microalgae capable of causing the intoxication have been recorded in all States of Australia, and major toxic blooms have occurred in Tasmania, Victoria and South Australia.