RED TIDE POISONING

Shellfish Poisoning has two
different types- Amnesic Shellfish
Poisoning and Paralytic Shellfish
Poisoning, in which, PSP is the
type that commonly occurs during
red tide.
Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning
caused by saxitoxin is commonly
produced by marine dinoflagellates
such as Gonyaulax, Alexandrium
and Pyrodinium. Through a variety
of factors including weather,
temperature and salinity of sea-
water. It is a harmful algal bloom
that causes harmful effects to hu-
mans and other living organisms.

HOW DOES SAXITOXIN CAUSE PSP?

WHEN DOES IT (MECHANISM OF TOXICITY)

USUALLY HAPPENS? Saxitoxin binds to voltage-gated sodium channels

July – October in four-climate regions
December – May in Tropic Regions
(Philippines)
within cell membranes, preventing sodium ions from
passing through the membranes of nerve cells.
Saxitoxin has a direct effect on skeletal muscle by
blocking the muscle action potential and abolishes
peripheral nerve conduction.

HOW TO KNOW WHEN THERE

IS A RED TIDE?
Red tide is implied to occur when there is low
salinity, a high nutrient content in the water
which can be caused by water pollution
and warmer-than-usual surface water
temperatures.
It is indicated by a rusty shade of red is often
seen, though the color may range from pink or or-
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
PSP and ASP are foodborne intoxications
and are not considered to be spread
person-to-person
The toxins that cause PSP and ASP are
not destroyed by cooking.
Wave action can release the algae's toxins
into the air in a form of aerosols, causing
respiratory problem

DIFFERENCE OF PSP V S. ASP

Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning (PSP)
Saxitoxin and/or Gonyautoxins Causative agent
Contaminated shellfish, oysters, clams, mus-
Source
sels, scallops, cockles, sea snails
A few minutes to 12 hours from consumption,
typically 30 minutes to 3 hours.
Consumption of seafood contaminated with
marine biotoxins, saxitoxin, gonyautoxin and/
or domoic acid.
Paralysis involving the mouth, face, neck and
extremities. In severe cases, ataxia, dyspho-
nia, dysphagia and muscle paralysis with res-
piratory arrest and death may occur within 12
hours.
Amnesic Shellfish Poisoning (ASP)
Domoic acid
Anchovies and sardines
15 minutes to 36 hours, average 5 hours
Incubation
from ingestion.
Consumption of seafood contaminated with
Transmission marine biotoxins, saxitoxin, gonyautoxin
and/or domoic acid.
Nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps and
Clinical diarrhea. In more severe cases, headache,
Manifestations dizziness, disorientation, seizures, coma
and loss of short-term memory may occur

 Plenty of ventilation to get aer-  Ozonation can remove low levels

olized saxitoxins out of respirato- of toxins from soft-shell clams
ry tract and reduce irritation. but not if the clams have retained
GENERAL MANAGEMENT  Removal out of water toxin for long periods of time.
TREATMENT and  Suppotive treatment by evacua-
 Biological controls such as using
PREVENTION OF RED tion of stomach contents may
parasitic dinoflagellates to attack
TIDE POISONING the red tide
help if consumption was recent.