Update on Methodologies Available for Ciguatoxin Determination: Perspectives to Confront the Onset of Ciguatera Fish Poisoning in Europe
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Author
Caillaud, Amandine
de la Iglesia, Pablo
Darius, H. Taiana
Pauillac, Serge
Aligizaki, Katerina
Fraga, Santiago
Chinain, Mireille
Publication date
2010-06-14ISSN
1660-3397
Abstract
Ciguatera fish poisoning (CFP) occurs mainly when humans ingest finfish
contaminated with ciguatoxins (CTXs). The complexity and variability of such toxins have
made it difficult to develop reliable methods to routinely monitor CFP with specificity and
sensitivity. This review aims to describe the methodologies available for CTX detection,
including those based on the toxicological, biochemical, chemical, and pharmaceutical
properties of CTXs. Selecting any of these methodological approaches for routine
monitoring of ciguatera may be dependent upon the applicability of the method. However,
identifying a reference validation method for CTXs is a critical and urgent issue, and is
dependent upon the availability of certified CTX standards and the coordinated action of laboratories. Reports of CFP cases in European hospitals have been described in several
countries, and are mostly due to travel to CFP endemic areas. Additionally, the recent
detection of the CTX-producing tropical genus Gambierdiscus in the eastern Atlantic
Ocean of the northern hemisphere and in the Mediterranean Sea, as well as the
confirmation of CFP in the Canary Islands and possibly in Madeira, constitute other
reasons to study the onset of CFP in Europe [1]. The question of the possible contribution
of climate change to the distribution of toxin-producing microalgae and ciguateric fish is
raised. The impact of ciguatera onset on European Union (EU) policies will be discussed
with respect to EU regulations on marine toxins in seafood. Critical analysis and
availability of methodologies for CTX determination is required for a rapid response to
suspected CFP cases and to conduct sound CFP risk analysis.
Document Type
Article
Document version
Published version
Language
English
Subject (CDU)
574 - General ecology and biodiversity
Pages
70
Publisher
MDPI
Is part of
Marine Drugs
Citation
Caillaud, Amandine, Pablo De La Iglesia, H. Taiana Darius, Serge Pauillac, Katerina Aligizaki, Santiago Fraga, Mireille Chinain, and Jorge Diogène. 2010. “Update on Methodologies Available for Ciguatoxin Determination: Perspectives to Confront the Onset of Ciguatera Fish Poisoning in Europe.” Marine Drugs 8 (6): 1838–1907. doi: 10.3390/md8061838
Program
Aigües Marines i Continentals
This item appears in the following Collection(s)
- ARTICLES CIENTÍFICS [2680]
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