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Ciguatera food poisoning (CFP) is widespread in tropical and sub-tropical waters, and it is the most common food poisoning caused by marine biotoxins. The toxins involved, ciguatoxins, are produced by certain dinoflagellates of the genus Gambierdiscus, and undergo biotransfer and biomagnification up the food web to planktivorous and ultimately, top predator fishes. In this paper, we reviewed the factors and processes that regulate the production of ciguatoxins, the ecological distribution and the pathways of their biotransfer, and fish consumption guidelines to prevent ciguatera-related food poisoning. Warm waters are commonly suggested as the most important factor that enhances toxic algal blooms and ciguatoxin production. Ecological distribution of ciguatoxic fish shows great regional specificity. In most endemic areas, carnivores such as groupers and other large fish have higher toxicity than their herbivorous and smaller counterparts, supporting the food chain hypothesis proposed by J.E. Randall (J.E. Randall, Bull. Mar. Sci. 8(3): 236-267, 1958); while in other areas, for example, French Polynesia, the opposite situations also exist, questioning the biomagnification hypothesis. Some countries and regions have taken measurements to prevent ciguatera poisoning through consumption guidelines. In this review, we look at some of the measures that could be used to prevent poisoning, while encouraging people to consume fish. For example, choosing smaller and lower trophic level fish are likely to be safer to consume. We suggest an approach to maintain better databases on ciguatera cases to instruct people on fish consumption safety, and develop a general guideline for fish consumption to reduce CFP. Key words: ciguatoxin, ciguatera food poisoning, marine food web, ecological distribution, biotransfer, prevention. L'intoxication alimentaire de type ciguatera (CFP) est tres repandue dans les eaux tropicales et subtropicales, et elle est l'intoxication alimentaire la plus frequente causee par des biotoxines marines. Les toxines en cause, ciguatoxines, sont produites par certains dinoflagelles du genre Gambierdiscus, et subissent le biotransfert et la bioamplification en amont du reseau trophique jusqu'aux poissons planctonivores et, en dernier lieu, aux poissons predateurs des niveaux trophiques superieurs. Dans cet article, nous avons examine les facteurs et les processus qui regulent la production des ciguatoxines, la distribution ecologique et les voies de leur biotransfert, et les lignes directrices de la consommation de poissons pour prevenir l'intoxication alimentaire liee a la ciguatera. Il est suggere que les eaux chaudes sont generalement le plus important facteur qui augmente la proliferation d'algues toxiques et la production de la ciguatoxine. La distribution ecologique des poissons ciguatoxiques montre une grande specificite regionale. Dans les zones les plus endemiques, les carnivores tels que les merous et d'autres grands poissons ont une toxicite plus elevee que leurs homologues plus petits et herbivores, ce qui soutient l'hypothese de la chaine alimentaire proposee par J.E. Randall (J.E. Randall, Bull. Mar. Sci. 8(3): 236-267, 1958); tandis que dans d'autres regions, par exemple, la Polynesie francaise, les situations opposees existent egalement et remettent en question l'hypothese de la bioamplification. Certains pays et regions ont pris des mesures pour empecher la ciguatera en adoptant des directives de consommation. Dans cette analyse, nous nous penchons sur des mesures qui pourraient etre prises pour eviter les intoxications tout en encourageant les gens a consommer du poisson. Par exemple, en choisissant les poissons plus petits et ceux en bas de l'echelon du niveau trophique, on consommerait des poissons plus probables d'etre sans danger. Nous proposons une approche pour maintenir de meilleures bases de donnees sur les cas de ciguatera afin de donner des consignes aux gens sur la consommation de poissons sans danger, et de developper des lignes directrices en matiere de consommation de poissons afin de reduire l'incidence d'intoxication alimentaire a la ciguatera. [Traduit par la Redaction] Mots-cles : ciguatoxine, intoxication alimentaire a la ciguatera, reseau trophique marin, repartition ecologique, biotransfert, prevention., 1. Introduction Ciguatera food poisoning (CFP) is a food-borne disease caused by consumption of fish containing ciguatoxins (CTXs). It is the most common type of food poisoning by marine biotoxins [...]

On a tropical island vacation, one of the last things you want to worry about is food poisoning. Yet for many, a trip to the tropics includes a painful education [...]

BACKGROUND: Although ciguatera fish poisoning (CFP) is the most common seafood intoxication worldwide, its burden has been difficult to establish because there are no biomarkers to diagnose human exposure. OBJECTIVE: [...]

BACKGROUND: Emerging environmental pressures resulting from climate change and globalization challenge the capacity of health information systems (HIS) in the Pacific to inform future policy and public health interventions. Ciguatera, [...]

Ciguatera fish poisoning (CFP) is a human foodborne intoxication caused by ingestion of tropical fishes contaminated with the potent polyether toxins known as ciguatoxins (CTXs). These toxins are issued from Gambierdiscus species of dinoflagellates. Herbivorous fish accumulate these toxins in their musculature and viscera 'after ingesting dinoflagellates. Epidemiological studies showed that CFP has been present in areas between 35[degrees] North and 35[degrees] South latitude, mainly, Indo-pacific and Caribbean areas, but not in waters closed to European and African continent. In the present paper, a specimen of Serlola dumerili weighing 70 kg and a smaller Seriola fasciata specimen, captured in waters belonging to Selvagens Islands (Madeira Arquipelago), were analyzed. Fishes from this genus were implicated in previous suspected ciguatera poisoning outbreaks in the Portuguese Madeira Arquipelago in the North Atlantic Ocean. Analysis was performed by two approaches, a functional method using cerebellar granule cells and by ultra-performance liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (UPLCMS) method. The study was carried out in one portion of the tail muscle of Seriola fasciata and five parts of the body of Seriola dumerili (tail muscle, head, ventral muscle, mid muscle, and liver). The functional method consisted in the modification of the inward sodium current in cerebellar granule cells and the chemical method was a high resolution chromatography, which allowed elucidating the toxin profile in the samples. In addition, UPLC-MS technique was optimized and used for detecting and quantifying CTXs for the first time. After fish extraction and clean up, the chromatograms revealed the presence of CTX-1B at 1111.6 m/z, CTX-3C at 1023.5 m/z, a CTX analogue at 1040.6 m/z, and a CTX from the Caribbean or Indic waters at 1141.6 m/z. Therefore, the results obtained in the present paper for both methods confirm, for the first time, the presence of CTX in fish from Madeira Arquipelago. 10.1021/ac100516q

The Peacock gouper (Cephalopholis argus) was introduced to Hawai'i in 1956 to establish a new fishery. It has become abundant, but the fishery failed due to concerns about ciguatera fish poisoning, a neurological disease in humans caused by ingestion of fish containing ciguatoxin. The aim of this study was to provide better understanding of geographic patterns of ciguatoxicity in C. argus and of the correlation of toxicity with morphometric characters of this species, with the goal to assess the possibility of a safe fishery. Overall, 18.2% of C. argus specimens from sites around Oahu and Hawai'i Island contained ciguatoxin in concentrations potentially harmful to humans. This was higher than the rate of occurrence in Hawaiian reef fishes in general, and on the scale of ciguatoxicity in species banned from sale in fish markets. Toxicity was high around both analyzed islands. However, toxic individuals were significantly less common around Oahu than around Hawai'i Island (8% versus 24%). Regular geographic patterns in toxicity within islands (e.g., gradients along coastlines) were not present, and variability in toxicity within each sample site was high. Toxicity was significantly but weakly positively correlated with C. argus length but not with fish condition (measured by length at weight). In conclusion, high prevalence of toxic individuals, variability in toxicity on all analyzed spatial scales, and low explanatory power of morphometric characters make the avoidance of ciguatoxic C. argus individuals difficult. A safe fishery for this species in Hawai'i therefore does not appear feasible at present., DUE To THEIR geographic isolation, the main Hawaiian Islands have reef fish communities characterized by the lack or limited presence of fish families with short to medium larval durations and [...]

The Kohn-Shan model is used to study the effect of double bonds on the Gaussian and plane wave functions of ciguatoxin 3C and other tetrahydropyrane-based polymers. The result suggests that the double bonds reduces the energy gap considerably and hence can be linked with biological systems to be used as precursor to build electric conducting systems.

The highly convergent total synthesis of CTX3C is improved and refined to a satisfactory level in terms of overall stereoselectivity and efficiency. The molecules synthesized will accelerate development of strategies to control ciguatera and lead to the creation of voltage-sensitive sodium channels (VSSC) probes that may elucidate VSSC-ligand interactions at the molecular level.

More than 20,000 people suffer annually from ciguatera seafood poisoning in subtropical and tropical regions. The extremely low content of the causative neurotoxins, designated as ciguatoxins, in fish has hampered the isolation, detailed biological studies, and preparation of anti-ciguatoxin antibodies for detecting these toxins. The large (3 nanometers long) and complicated molecular structure of ciguatoxins has impeded chemists from completing their total synthesis. Our highly convergent strategic approach featuring the chemoselective ring-closing metathesis reaction as a key tactic has enabled the total synthesis of ciguatoxin CTX3C, which will provide a practical supply for further studies., More than 20,000 people in subtropical and tropical regions suffer annually from ciguatera, which is the most widespread human poisoning caused by the consumption of seafood (1, 2). The disease [...]

Results show the severity of the dinoflagellate algal bloom's ciguatera fish poisoning activity is primarily dependent on the genetic make-up of the algal population.

Protective skin secretions of the Red Sea trunkfish Ostracion cubicus and protein-surfactant interactions are discussed. The existence of proteins in the skin secretions are confirmed, and their pharmacological significance is clarified. The multiplicity of interactive active substances contributes to unique pharmacological complexity.

The problems in obtaining adequate material for study and the culturing of causative microorganisms have hindered the marine toxin research. Growing public awareness and enhanced detection techniques may help in understanding the cause of the incidence of seafood poisoning and the reason for the rise in the frequency and geographical distribution in the huge fish kills. The spreading of resistant cysts of noxious species by ships, and the worsening of marine environment are also responsible for this increased incidence.

A review is presented of marine animals that can inject poison into the body by stinging or biting, along with the composition and physiologic effects of the poison. In general, the toxin is injected into the victim by venom glands on or near spines (fangs, daggers, or darts), or from microscopic organelles called cnidae. Appropriate therapeutic measures are described. The most common sting injury from a marine vertebrate is from the stingray, and the 11 species can be subdivided into four categories with different levels of toxicity. Other animals that sting are scorpion fish, coelenterates (hydroids, jellyfish, anemones), sponges, echinoderms (sea urchins, starfish), bristleworms, and mollusks. The stinging apparatus and venoms are described in each case. Treatment approaches depend on whether the wound is a puncture wound or one characterized by a rash, blisters, or hives. A flow chart is presented to guide treatment. Wounds acquired in the ocean become infected easily, but minor cuts do not usually require antibiotics if the wounded person is immunologically healthy. Specific remedies are described for puncture wounds and stings. Spines and very small spines (spinules) should be removed from the wound whenever possible. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Ciguatera poisoning results from eating fish in which the ciguatera toxin has accumulated. The toxin is not limited to any particular type of fish, and the fish do not even make the poison. Rather, the poison is made by tiny one-celled animals called dinoflagellates, a type of protozoa; some dinoflagellates are responsible for the so-called 'red tides'. The poisonous protozoa are eaten by larger creatures, which are eaten by fish larger still. At each step up the food chain, the poison accumulates in the flesh of the predator, until in some larger fish the poison reaches high concentrations. If a person eats a fish that has accumulated this toxin, ciguatera poisoning results. This causes a variety of symptoms including nausea, rash, dizziness, muscle weakness, heart abnormalities, and coma. Death may result, but more than 90 percent of all patients will recover. Recovery will generally take one or two months, but symptoms may persist for years. Recovered patients must be cautious, however, since the effects of ciguatoxin grow worse with repeated exposure. Two cases of polymyositis are presented in which the symptoms of muscle inflammation appeared 6 and 11 years after the first incident of ciguatera poisoning. In polymyositis, the muscle is inflamed, accumulation of fluid in the tissue occurs, and there is degeneration of the muscle cells; this was confirmed by muscle biopsy in the two patients. While ciguatera poisoning is common in tropical areas, it is less common in more temperate areas. Polymyositis is quite rare, and the occurrence of polymyositis in these two patients might not just be the result of chance. Although detailed biochemical data from the patients' episodes of ciguatera poisoning are not available, both patients recalled experiencing muscle pain during the initial poisoning. It may be possible that in some cases ciguatera poisoning may contribute to the development of polymyositis years after the initial exposure. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

BACKGROUND: Warm sea surface temperatures (SSTs) are positively related to incidence of ciguatera fish poisoning (CFP). Increased severe storm frequency may create more habitat for ciguatoxic organisms. Although climate change could expand the endemic range of CFP, the relationship between CFP incidence and specific environmental conditions is unknown. OBJECTIVES: We estimated associations between monthly CFP incidence in the contiguous United States and SST and storm frequency in the Caribbean basin. METHODS: We obtained information on 1,102 CFP-related calls to U.S. poison control centers during 2001-2011 from the National Poison Data System. We performed a time-series analysis using Poisson regression to relate monthly CFP call incidence to SST and tropical storms. We investigated associations across a range of plausible lag structures. RESULTS: Results showed associations between monthly CFP calls and both warmer SSTs and increased tropical storm frequency. The SST variable with the strongest association linked current monthly CFP calls to the peak August SST of the previous year. The lag period with the strongest association for storms was 18 months. If climate change increases SST in the Caribbean 2.5-3.5°C over the coming century as projected, this model implies that CFP incidence in the United States is likely to increase 200-400%. CONCLUSIONS: Using CFP calls as a marker of CFP incidence, these results clarify associations between climate variability and CFP incidence and suggest that, all other things equal, climate change could increase the burden of CFP. These findings have implications for disease prediction, surveillance, and public health preparedness for climate change. http://dx.doi.org/10.1289/ehp.1307196, Introduction Ciguatera fish poisoning (CFP) is the most common nonbacterial illness associated with fish consumption, affecting 50,000-200,000 people annually (Dickey and Plakas 2010). Ciguatera toxin is produced by benthic dinoflagellate [...]

Ciguatera fish poisoning (CFP), the most common nonbacterial illness linked with eating fish, arises from the ciguatoxin produced by Gambierdiscus algae in tropical and subtropical areas of the Pacific, Western [...]

The total synthesis of ciguatoxin and 51-hydroxyCTX3C, the two most toxic members of the ciguatoxin family, which is the principal cause for ciguatera seafood poisoning, is described. The synthesis, effected from the corresponding left and right wing fragments in a minimum number of steps, is based on a second generation strategy combined with a stereo- and chemoselective radical cyclization process.