Thursday, September 4, 2014

Paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) is not common in Peninsular Malaysia. Report in Kuantan need to be monitored. BUT how many experts on PSP near Kuantan? we need to recruit more on HAB

http://www.thestar.com.my/News/Nation/2014/09/04/shellfish-kuantan-port-waters-toxin/

Paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) is one of the four recognized syndromes of shellfish poisoning, which share some common features and are primarily associated with bivalve mollusks (such as musselsclamsoysters and scallops). These shellfish are filter feeders and, therefore, accumulate neurotoxins, called Saxitoxin, produced by microscopic algae, such as dinoflagellatesdiatoms, and cyanobacteria. Dinoflagellates of the genus Alexandrium (genus) are the most numerous and widespread saxitoxin producers and are responsible for PSP blooms in subarctic, temperate, and tropical locations.The majority of toxic blooms have been caused by the morphospecies Alexandrium catenellaAlexandrium tamarense, and Alexandrium fundyense, which together comprise the A. tamarense species complex. In Asia, PSP is mostly associated with the occurrence of the species Pyrodinium bahamense. Human toxicity and mortality can occur after ingestion of these animals, but toxicity is also seen in wild animal populations.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paralytic_shellfish_poisoning

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