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Summary of harmful algal bloom (HAB) organisms that pose health threats to humans, the toxins they produce, and the diseases associated with exposure to the toxins. |
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| Representative organism |
Toxins elaborated |
Disease |
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| Diatoms: Pseudo-nitzschia spp. |
Domoic acid |
Amnesiac shellfish poisoning |
| Dinoflagellate: Karenia brevis (formerly Gymnodinium breve) |
Brevetoxins |
• Neurotoxic shellfish poisoning • Florida Red Tide Respiratory Irritation |
| Dinoflagellates: Gymnodinium catenatum, Pyrodinium bahamense var. compressum, Alexandrium spp. |
Saxitoxins |
Paralytic shellfish poisoning |
| Dinoflagellates: Dinophysis spp., Prorocentrum lima |
Okadaic acids |
Diarrheic shellfish poisoning |
| Dinoflagellate: Protoperidinium spp. |
Azaspiracids |
Azaspiracid shellfish poisoning |
| Dinoflagellates: Gambierdiscus toxicus, possibly Ostreopsis spp.;Coolia spp.; or Prorocentrum spp. |
Ciguatoxins |
Ciguatera fish poisoning |
| Cyanobacteria: Microcystis |
Microcystins |
Liver damage |
Kite-Powell et al. Environmental Health 2008 7(Suppl 2):S6 doi:10.1186/1476-069X-7-S2-S6 |
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