Amnesic Shellfish Poisoning

Group Project
By: Aileen Duran, Megan Nicanor, Brian Garcia, and
Cassandra Hernandez

What types of organisms are responsible?

Amnesic shellfish poisoning is caused by toxins (domoic acid) from a species
of diatoms known as Nitzchia pungens. Diatoms are neither plants nor
animals.
Although human illness due to domoic acid has only been associated with
shellfish, the toxin can bioaccumulate in many marine organisms that
consume phytoplankton, such as anchovies, and sardines.

 Species that are affected

Domoic acid has been detected in mussels, clams, and oysters.
Razor clams are most often affected by domoic acid because the
algae that produces the toxin
Even if the crab meat is safe, domoic acid tends to accumulate in
crab gut

What are the possible causes?

exposure to toxins and poisons
pseudo-nitzschia multiseries and P.
australis which produce the toxin
domoic acid.
Domoic acid is a kainic acid analog
neurotoxin that causes amnesic
shellfish poisoning.

What are the symptoms of the poisoning?

Gastrointestinal distress
Dizziness
Headache
Disorientation
Permanent short-term
memory loss
Seizures

Ecological, Economic, and Social Impacts

Commercial fishery impacts from HABs include wild harvest and
aquaculture losses of fish and shellfish resources due to ASP
Annual impacts vary from $13 to $25 million with average annual
impacts of $18 million
Human sickness and death from eating tainted seafood results in lost
wages and work days
They frequently disrupt the commercial, recreational and subsistence
seafood harvesting and cause some to cancel beach vacations

To Eliminate, Reduce, or Manage

There is no antidote. The only treatment for severe
cases is the use of life support systems until the toxin
passes from the victim's system.
Try to check with your local health department in the area
before you plan to harvest the shellfish.

To Prevent Poisoning
check for warning signs, but don't assume a beach is safe
if there are no signs.
obtain shellfish from waters that have been approved for
harvest
check with the local health department in the area you
plan to harvest.