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Ulman A, Abd Rabou AFN, Al Mabruk S, Bariche M, Bilecenoğlu M, Demirel N, Galil BS, Hüseyinoğlu MF, Jimenez C, Hadjioannou L, Kosker AR, Peristeraki P, Saad A, Samaha Z, Stoumboudi MT, Temraz TA, Karachle PK. Assessment of Human Health Impacts from Invasive Pufferfish (Attacks, Poisonings and Fatalities) across the Eastern Mediterranean. BIOLOGY 2024; 13:208. [PMID: 38666820 PMCID: PMC11048499 DOI: 10.3390/biology13040208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2024] [Revised: 03/19/2024] [Accepted: 03/19/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024]
Abstract
The silver-cheeked toadfish Lagocephalus sceleratus (Gmelin 1789), and to a lesser degree the orange spotted toadfish Torquigener hypselogeneion (Bleeker, 1852), pose threats to human health from physical attacks and poisonings in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea. This study reviewed human health-related impacts resulting from these pufferfish, compiling and assessing records from online sources, the peer-reviewed literature, medical records, personal interviews, and observations across the Eastern Mediterranean in the years 2004 to 2023. A total of 198 events impacting human health were documented: 28 records of physical attacks, at least 144 non-lethal poisoning episodes, and 27 human fatalities resulting from consumption. The majority of the reported incidences occurred in Syria, Türkiye, and Lebanon. Most physical attacks occurred in summer, while most poisoning events occurred during winter. The number of recorded incidents greatly increased after 2019, especially with regard to poisonings, yet whether this is related to greater media attention, or to increased fish abundance is unclear. This is the first comprehensive study to collate findings on attacks, poisonings and fatalities caused by these pufferfish in the Mediterranean Sea, and may help in improving national health policies. We urge the continuation of national campaigns to caution residents and tourists of these species' high toxicities and potential aggressiveness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aylin Ulman
- Mersea Marine Consulting, 48300 Fethiye, Türkiye;
| | | | - Sara Al Mabruk
- Nursing Department, Higher Institute of Science and Technology-Cyrene, Shahat 6036, Libya;
| | - Michel Bariche
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, American University of Beirut, Beirut P.O. Box 11-0236, Lebanon;
| | - Murat Bilecenoğlu
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Aydın Adnan Menderes University, 09010 Aydın, Türkiye;
| | - Nazli Demirel
- Institute of Marine Sciences and Management, Istanbul University, Fatih, 34134 Istanbul, Türkiye;
| | - Bella S. Galil
- The Steinhardt Museum of Natural History, Israel National Center for Biodiversity Studies, Tel-Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel;
| | | | - Carlos Jimenez
- Enalia Physis Environmental Research Centre, 2101 Nicosia, Cyprus;
| | | | - Ali Rıza Kosker
- Department of Seafood Processing Technology, Faculty of Fisheries, Cukurova University, 01330 Adana, Türkiye;
| | - Panagiota Peristeraki
- Institute of Marine Biological Resources and Inland Waters, Hellenic Centre for Marine Research, P.O. Box 2214, 71300 Heraklion, Greece;
| | - Adib Saad
- Directorate of Scientific Research and Publishing, Al-Manara University, Lattakia HQ28 RFM, Syria;
| | - Ziad Samaha
- General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM—FAO), Palazzo Blumenstihl, Via Vittoria Colonna 1, 00193 Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Th. Stoumboudi
- Institute of Marine Biological Resources and Inland Waters, Hellenic Centre for Marine Research, 576 Vouliagmenis Ave., 16452 Argyroupoli, Greece;
| | - Tarek A. Temraz
- Department of Marine Sciences, Faculty of Science, Suez Canal University, Ismailia 8366004, Egypt;
| | - Paraskevi K. Karachle
- Institute of Marine Biological Resources and Inland Waters, Hellenic Centre for Marine Research, 576 Vouliagmenis Ave., 16452 Argyroupoli, Greece;
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Kosker AR, Karakus M, Katikou P, Dal İ, Durmus M, Ucar Y, Ayas D, Özogul F. Monthly Variation of Tetrodotoxin Levels in Pufferfish ( Lagocephalus sceleratus) Caught from Antalya Bay, Mediterranean Sea. Mar Drugs 2023; 21:527. [PMID: 37888462 PMCID: PMC10608123 DOI: 10.3390/md21100527] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2023] [Revised: 10/02/2023] [Accepted: 10/03/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023] Open
Abstract
The silver-cheeked toadfish (Lagocephalus sceleratus), an invasive alien pufferfish species that has rapidly settled throughout the Mediterranean region, poses significant threats not only to native marine species and fisheries but also to public health due to the tetrodotoxin (TTX) they harbor. In this study, TTX concentrations in L. sceleratus from Antalya Bay in the Northeastern Mediterranean Sea were investigated using Q-TOF-LC-MS on a monthly basis over a one-year period. Pufferfish were caught by angling from May 2018 to April 2019. The TTX levels in three different tissues (gonads, liver, and muscle) of 110 pufferfish in total were determined in both male and female individuals caught for 11 months. The highest TTX mean levels generally occurred in the gonads and the lowest in the muscle samples. As regards the maximum TTX contents, the highest concentrations determined were 68.2, 34.2, and 7.8 µg/g in the gonad, liver, and muscle tissues, respectively. The highest levels were generally observed in late autumn to winter (especially in November and December) in all tissues from both genders. Female individuals were generally found to be more toxic than male individuals. The TTX levels found confirm that the consumption of L. sceleratus from Antalya Bay remains dangerous throughout the year, and thus L. sceleratus constantly constitutes an important risk source for public health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali Rıza Kosker
- Department of Seafood Processing Technology, Faculty of Fisheries, Cukurova University, 01330 Adana, Turkey; (M.D.); (F.Ö.)
| | - Merve Karakus
- Mediterranean Fisheries Research Production and Training Institute, Demre Unit, 07570 Antalya, Turkey; (M.K.); (İ.D.)
| | - Panagiota Katikou
- Veterinary Research Institute of Thessaloniki, Hellenic Agricultural Organization—DIMITRA, Ktima Thermis, 57001 Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - İsmail Dal
- Mediterranean Fisheries Research Production and Training Institute, Demre Unit, 07570 Antalya, Turkey; (M.K.); (İ.D.)
| | - Mustafa Durmus
- Department of Seafood Processing Technology, Faculty of Fisheries, Cukurova University, 01330 Adana, Turkey; (M.D.); (F.Ö.)
| | - Yılmaz Ucar
- Vocational School of Aladag, Department of Forestry, Cukurova University, 01720 Adana, Turkey;
| | - Deniz Ayas
- Fisheries Faculty, Mersin University, 33169 Mersin, Turkey;
| | - Fatih Özogul
- Department of Seafood Processing Technology, Faculty of Fisheries, Cukurova University, 01330 Adana, Turkey; (M.D.); (F.Ö.)
- Biotechnology Research and Application Center, Cukurova University, 01330 Adana, Turkey
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Alkassar M, Sanchez-Henao A, Reverté J, Barreiro L, Rambla-Alegre M, Leonardo S, Mandalakis M, Peristeraki P, Diogène J, Campàs M. Evaluation of Toxicity Equivalency Factors of Tetrodotoxin Analogues with a Neuro-2a Cell-Based Assay and Application to Puffer Fish from Greece. Mar Drugs 2023; 21:432. [PMID: 37623713 PMCID: PMC10455759 DOI: 10.3390/md21080432] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2023] [Revised: 07/27/2023] [Accepted: 07/29/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Tetrodotoxin (TTX) is a potent marine neurotoxin involved in poisoning cases, especially through the consumption of puffer fish. Knowledge of the toxicity equivalency factors (TEFs) of TTX analogues is crucial in monitoring programs to estimate the toxicity of samples analyzed with instrumental analysis methods. In this work, TTX analogues were isolated from the liver of a Lagocephalus sceleratus individual caught on South Crete coasts. A cell-based assay (CBA) for TTXs was optimized and applied to the establishment of the TEFs of 5,11-dideoxyTTX, 11-norTTX-6(S)-ol, 11-deoxyTTX and 5,6,11-trideoxyTTX. Results showed that all TTX analogues were less toxic than the parent TTX, their TEFs being in the range of 0.75-0.011. Then, different tissues of three Lagocephalus sceleratus individuals were analyzed with CBA and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). The obtained TEFs were applied to the TTX analogues' concentrations obtained by LC-MS/MS analysis, providing an indication of the overall toxicity of the sample. Information about the TEFs of TTX analogues is valuable for food safety control, allowing the estimation of the risk of fish products to consumers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mounira Alkassar
- Institut de Recerca i Tecnologia Agroalimentàries (IRTA), Ctra. Poble Nou km 5.5, 43540 La Ràpita, Spain; (M.A.); (A.S.-H.); (J.R.); (L.B.); (M.R.-A.); (S.L.); (J.D.)
| | - Andres Sanchez-Henao
- Institut de Recerca i Tecnologia Agroalimentàries (IRTA), Ctra. Poble Nou km 5.5, 43540 La Ràpita, Spain; (M.A.); (A.S.-H.); (J.R.); (L.B.); (M.R.-A.); (S.L.); (J.D.)
| | - Jaume Reverté
- Institut de Recerca i Tecnologia Agroalimentàries (IRTA), Ctra. Poble Nou km 5.5, 43540 La Ràpita, Spain; (M.A.); (A.S.-H.); (J.R.); (L.B.); (M.R.-A.); (S.L.); (J.D.)
| | - Lourdes Barreiro
- Institut de Recerca i Tecnologia Agroalimentàries (IRTA), Ctra. Poble Nou km 5.5, 43540 La Ràpita, Spain; (M.A.); (A.S.-H.); (J.R.); (L.B.); (M.R.-A.); (S.L.); (J.D.)
| | - Maria Rambla-Alegre
- Institut de Recerca i Tecnologia Agroalimentàries (IRTA), Ctra. Poble Nou km 5.5, 43540 La Ràpita, Spain; (M.A.); (A.S.-H.); (J.R.); (L.B.); (M.R.-A.); (S.L.); (J.D.)
| | - Sandra Leonardo
- Institut de Recerca i Tecnologia Agroalimentàries (IRTA), Ctra. Poble Nou km 5.5, 43540 La Ràpita, Spain; (M.A.); (A.S.-H.); (J.R.); (L.B.); (M.R.-A.); (S.L.); (J.D.)
| | - Manolis Mandalakis
- Institute of Marine Biology, Biotechnology and Aquaculture, Hellenic Centre for Marine Research, 71003 Heraklion, Greece;
| | - Panagiota Peristeraki
- Institute of Marine Biological Resources and Inland Waters, Hellenic Centre for Marine Research, 71003 Heraklion, Greece;
| | - Jorge Diogène
- Institut de Recerca i Tecnologia Agroalimentàries (IRTA), Ctra. Poble Nou km 5.5, 43540 La Ràpita, Spain; (M.A.); (A.S.-H.); (J.R.); (L.B.); (M.R.-A.); (S.L.); (J.D.)
| | - Mònica Campàs
- Institut de Recerca i Tecnologia Agroalimentàries (IRTA), Ctra. Poble Nou km 5.5, 43540 La Ràpita, Spain; (M.A.); (A.S.-H.); (J.R.); (L.B.); (M.R.-A.); (S.L.); (J.D.)
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Malloggi C, Rizzo B, Giusti A, Guardone L, Gasperetti L, Dall’Ara S, Armani A. First Toxicological Analysis of the Pufferfish Sphoeroides pachygaster Collected in Italian Waters (Strait of Sicily): Role of Citizens Science in Monitoring Toxic Marine Species. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:1873. [PMID: 37889799 PMCID: PMC10252100 DOI: 10.3390/ani13111873] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2023] [Revised: 05/26/2023] [Accepted: 06/01/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Pufferfish (Tetraodontidae) inhabiting the Mediterranean Sea may represent an emerging public health risk due to the possible accumulation of marine neurotoxins such as tetrodotoxin (TTXs) and saxitoxin (STXs) in their tissues. In this study, the presence of pufferfish species in the Strait of Sicily (Lampedusa Island, Italy) was investigated using a citizen science (CS) approach, involving local fishermen. Samples (liver, intestine, gonads, muscle, skin) from 20 specimens were sent to the National Reference Laboratory on Marine Biotoxins for TTXs detection using a validated HILIC-MS/MS method on fish tissue. The presence of STXs was also screened in part of the specimens. Overall, 56 specimens identified as Sphoeroides pachygaster (Müller &Troschel, 1848) were collected. Data on their total length, body weight, fishing method and catch area (with relative depth temperature and salinity) were analyzed and compared with the S. pachygaster records reported in literature which were updated to 2022. All the analysed tissues were found to be negative for both TTXs and STXs. CS played an essential role in monitoring potentially toxic marine species in this investigation. Outcomes from this study, which is the first investigating S. pachygaster toxicity in Italian waters, may provide useful data for the proper assessment of this emerging risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Malloggi
- FishLab, Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Pisa, Viale delle Piagge 2, 56124 Pisa, Italy; (C.M.); (A.G.); (L.G.)
| | - Biagio Rizzo
- FishLab, Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Pisa, Viale delle Piagge 2, 56124 Pisa, Italy; (C.M.); (A.G.); (L.G.)
| | - Alice Giusti
- FishLab, Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Pisa, Viale delle Piagge 2, 56124 Pisa, Italy; (C.M.); (A.G.); (L.G.)
| | - Lisa Guardone
- FishLab, Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Pisa, Viale delle Piagge 2, 56124 Pisa, Italy; (C.M.); (A.G.); (L.G.)
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Piemonte, Liguria e Valle d’Aosta, 10154 Torino, Italy
| | - Laura Gasperetti
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Lazio e della Toscana, 00178 Roma, Italy;
| | - Sonia Dall’Ara
- Fondazione Centro Ricerche Marine, National Reference Laboratory on Marine Biotoxins, Viale A. Vespucci 2, 47042 Cesenatico, Italy;
| | - Andrea Armani
- FishLab, Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Pisa, Viale delle Piagge 2, 56124 Pisa, Italy; (C.M.); (A.G.); (L.G.)
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Vlasenko AE, Magarlamov TY. Tetrodotoxins in Ribbon Worms Cephalothrix cf. simula and Kulikovia alborostrata from Peter the Great Bay, Sea of Japan. Toxins (Basel) 2022; 15:16. [PMID: 36668836 PMCID: PMC9860856 DOI: 10.3390/toxins15010016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2022] [Revised: 12/23/2022] [Accepted: 12/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Tetrodotoxin, an extremely potent low-molecular-weight neurotoxin, and its analogues (TTXs) are widely distributed in aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. Most investigations concerning TTXs have been conducted mainly on puffer fish, octopus, and mollusks, without paying due attention to various non-edible animals including nemerteans, a small group of marine worms, several species of which have been shown to possess high amounts of TTXs. In this study, for the first time, variations in TTX and its analogues, in 32 specimens of Cephalothrix cf. simula and 36 specimens of Kulikovia alborostrata, from Peter the Great Bay Sea of Japan were investigated, which may contribute to elucidation of TTXs migration pathways in ecosystems. Using high performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS), it was found that the total TTXs concentrations within both species vary by one to several orders of magnitude, 85.75-7108.26 µg/g and 0.35-8.11 ng/g in C. cf. simula and K. alborostrata, respectively. The intra- and interspecies similarities in proportions of TTXs in both species were observed; based on the results, a possible way of their toxification was discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Timur Yu. Magarlamov
- A.V. Zhirmunsky National Scientific Center of Marine Biology, Far Eastern Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences, 690041 Vladivostok, Russia
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Al-Sulaimani S, Titelbaum NV, Ward RE, Zahran TE, Chalhoub S, Kazzi Z. Case Report of Tetrodotoxin Poisoning from Lagocephalus sceleratus in Lebanon. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:14648. [PMID: 36429360 PMCID: PMC9690907 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph192214648] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2022] [Revised: 10/28/2022] [Accepted: 11/03/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
The Indo-Pacific pufferfish Lagocephalus sceleratus is a tetrodotoxin-containing species believed to have entered the Mediterranean Sea through the Suez Canal. Tetrodotoxin (TTX) is primarily found in the liver, intestine, and ovaries of L. sceleratus. We report a case of a patient with TTX poisoning from L. sceleratus consumption in Lebanon. History of ingestion, clinical presentation, and exam findings were obtained during phone-based consultation with the patient and intensive care physician. A 46-year-old male presented to a hospital in Lebanon with perioral and extremity numbness as well as dizziness 1 h after ingestion of an L. sceleratus fish. He had caught and prepared the fish himself and had eaten a skinless piece of flesh. Over the following 6 h he also developed ataxia and generalized body numbness. His treatment included systemic hydrocortisone, antihistamine, activated charcoal, and fluids. He was admitted to the intensive care unit, where he developed self-limited, stable sinus bradycardia. He was discharged home on hospital day 5 with residual lightheadedness that improved over several days. This is one of the first reported cases of tetrodotoxin poisoning due to L. sceleratus in Lebanon. Public awareness regarding the toxicity of this species after any ingestion is essential to prevent toxicity and death.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suad Al-Sulaimani
- Division of Medical Toxicology, Department of Emergency Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30307, USA
- Georgia Poison Center, Atlanta, GA 30303, USA
| | - Nicholas Vincent Titelbaum
- Division of Medical Toxicology, Department of Emergency Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30307, USA
- Georgia Poison Center, Atlanta, GA 30303, USA
| | - Ricardo El Ward
- Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Rafic Hariri University Campus, Lebanese University, Hadath 6573, Lebanon
| | - Tharwat El Zahran
- Division of Medical Toxicology, Department of Emergency Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30307, USA
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut 1107 2020, Lebanon
| | - Sana Chalhoub
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut 1107 2020, Lebanon
| | - Ziad Kazzi
- Division of Medical Toxicology, Department of Emergency Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30307, USA
- Georgia Poison Center, Atlanta, GA 30303, USA
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Melnikova DI, Magarlamov TY. An Overview of the Anatomical Distribution of Tetrodotoxin in Animals. Toxins (Basel) 2022; 14:toxins14080576. [PMID: 36006238 PMCID: PMC9412668 DOI: 10.3390/toxins14080576] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2022] [Revised: 08/15/2022] [Accepted: 08/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Tetrodotoxin (TTX), a potent paralytic sodium channel blocker, is an intriguing marine toxin. Widely distributed in nature, TTX has attracted attention in various scientific fields, from biomedical studies to environmental safety concerns. Despite a long history of studies, many issues concerning the biosynthesis, origin, and spread of TTX in animals and ecosystems remain. This review aims to summarize the current knowledge on TTX circulation inside TTX-bearing animal bodies. We focus on the advances in TTX detection at the cellular and subcellular levels, providing an expanded picture of intra-organismal TTX migration mechanisms. We believe that this review will help address the gaps in the understanding of the biological function of TTX and facilitate the development of further studies involving TTX-bearing animals.
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