Paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) is one of the four recognized syndromes of shellfish poisoning, which share some common features and are primarily associated with bivalve mollusks (such as mussels, clams, oysters and scallops).
Paralytic shellfish poison (PSP) is naturally occurring toxin, called a biotoxin, that is produced by some species of microscopic algae. PSP can concentrate in shellfish and, when eaten, can cause illness in humans. This biotoxin affects the nervous system and paralyzes muscles, thus the term paralytic shellfish poison. High levels of PSP can cause severe illness and death. Alexandrium catenella is a dinoflagellate. It is among the group of Alexandrium species that produce toxins that cause paralytic shellfish poisoning, and is a cause of red tide. These organisms have been found in the west coast of North America, Japan, Australia, and parts of South Africa. The dinoflagellate produces saxitoxin, which is a highly potent neurotoxin. If consumed, this toxin can cause paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP). By ingesting saxitoxin, humans can suffer from numbness, ataxia, incoherence, and in extreme cases respiratory paralysis and death. DOH 332-058 October 2013 Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning (“red tide”) What is paralytic shellfish poisoning? Paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) is a serious illness caused by eating shellfish contaminated with algae that contains a toxin harmful to humans.  Name of the Organism: Various Shellfish-Associated. Shellfish poisoning is caused by a group of toxins elaborated by planktonic algae (dinoflagellates, in most cases) upon which the shellfish feed. The toxins are accumulated and sometimes metabolized by the shellfish. The 20 toxins responsible for paralytic shellfish poisonings (PSP) are all derivatives of saxitoxin. Diarrheic shellfish poisoning (DSP) is presumably caused by a group of high molecular weight polyethers, including okadaic acid, the dinophysis toxins, the pectenotoxins, and yessotoxin.  Paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) is the most common and most severe form of shellfish poisoning. PSP is caused by eating shellfish contaminated with saxitoxins produced by dinoflagellates from Aelxandrium, Pyrodinium, and Gymnodinium genera. Symptoms usually appear 30–60 minutes after eating toxic shellfish and include numbness and tingling of the face, lips, tongue, arms, and legs. Diarrheic Shellfish Poisoning. Diarrheic shellfish poisoning (DSP) is caused by eating shellfish contaminated with a group of toxins that include polyether molecules (such as okadaic acid) produced by dinoflagellates from the genera Dinophysis and Prorocentrum lima. DSP produces chills, nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, and diarrhea. PSP is caused by eating shellfish contaminated with saxitoxins produced by dinoflagellates from Aelxandrium, Pyrodinium, and Gymnodinium genera. Symptoms usually appear 30–60 minutes after eating toxic shellfish and include numbness and tingling of the face, lips, tongue, arms, and legs. The majority of toxic blooms have been caused by the morphospecies Alexandrium catenella, Alexandrium tamarense, and Alexandrium fundyense, which together comprise the A. tamarense species complex. In Asia, PSP is mostly associated with the occurrence of the species Pyrodinium bahamense. The toxins responsible for most shellfish poisonings are water-insoluble, heat and acid-stable, and ordinary cooking methods do not eliminate the toxins. The principal toxin responsible for PSP is saxitoxin. 1 Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning (PSP) - This disease is caused by the production of saxitoxin by the Alexandrium species. 2  It is common along the Atlantic and Pacific coasts in the US and Canada. 3  Poisoning occurs when one ingests shellfish contaminated with PSP toxins causing disruption of nerve function and paralysis. 1 Diarrhetic Shellfish Poisoning (DSP) - This disease is caused by the Dinophysis species. 2  It generally occurs in Japan and Europe, but it has also been found in other countries such as Canada, the US, Chile, New Zealand, and Thailand. During a red tide, sea waters turn a reddish color because large numbers of red organisms (dinoflagellates) are present. Dinoflagellates kill fish and other organisms by releasing toxins (poisonous substances). Consequently, shellfish take in the concentrated saxitoxin, a poison that causes paralysis. Red tides are most common in the cold waters of North America, Europe, Africa, Asia, and Japan. Paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) is one of the four recognized syndromes of shellfish poisoning, which share some common features and are primarily associated with bivalve mollusks (such as mussels, clams, oysters and scallops). The toxins responsible for most shellfish poisonings are water-insoluble, heat and acid-stable, and ordinary cooking methods do not eliminate the toxins. The principal toxin responsible for PSP is saxitoxin.
http://www.doh.wa.gov/CommunityandEnvironment/Shellfish/BiotoxinsIllnessPrevention/Biotoxins/ParalyticShellfishPoison https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexandrium_catenella http://www.doh.wa.gov/Portals/1/Documents/4400/332-058-PSP.pdf http://www.fda.gov/Food/FoodborneIllnessContaminants/CausesOfIllnessBadBugBook/ucm070795.htm http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/yellowbook/2014/chapter-2-the-pre-travel-consultation/food-poisoning-from-marine-toxins http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/yellowbook/2014/chapter-2-the-pre-travel-consultation/food-poisoning-from-marine-toxins https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paralytic_shellfish_poisoning http://serc.carleton.edu/microbelife/topics/redtide/index.html http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/wilderness-shellfish-poisoning-paralysis https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paralytic_shellfish_poisoning
organism that causes paralytic shellfish poisoning