Table 1 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.
From: Linking the oceans to public health: current efforts and future directions
Representative organism | Toxins elaborated | Disease |
|---|---|---|
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 |