First identification of the neurotoxin homoanatoxin-a from mats of Hydrocoleum lyngbyaceum (marine cyanobacterium) possibly linked to giant clam poisoning in New Caledonia

Toxicon. 2010 Oct;56(5):829-35. doi: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2009.10.029. Epub 2009 Nov 4.

Abstract

We report the first identification of homoanatoxin-a from benthic marine cyanobacteria (Hydrocoleum lyngbyaceum) samples collected in Lifou (Loyalty Islands, New Caledonia), where cases of giant clams (Tridacna maxima) intoxications were recorded during a severe ciguatera fish poisoning outbreak. Homoanatoxin-a was also detected in extracts of giant clams harvested in the surroundings of the contaminated area suggesting the possible link between these poisoning events and the occurrence of potentially neurotoxic Hydrocoleum.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Bacterial Toxins / analysis*
  • Bacterial Toxins / chemistry
  • Base Sequence
  • Bivalvia / microbiology*
  • Bridged Bicyclo Compounds, Heterocyclic / analysis*
  • Bridged Bicyclo Compounds, Heterocyclic / chemistry
  • Ciguatera Poisoning / epidemiology*
  • Cyanobacteria / chemistry*
  • Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry
  • Humans
  • Marine Biology
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • New Caledonia / epidemiology
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • RNA, Transfer / genetics
  • Sequence Homology, Nucleic Acid

Substances

  • Bacterial Toxins
  • Bridged Bicyclo Compounds, Heterocyclic
  • homoanatoxin-a
  • RNA, Transfer