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PubMed1992

Detection of Norwalk virus in stool by polymerase chain reaction.

A method of reverse transcription (RT) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for the detection of Norwalk virus in human stools was developed. A cationic detergent, cetyltrimethylammonium bromide, was found to effectively remove from stool extracts factors that inhibit the RT-PCR assay. The specificities of the tests were shown by hybridization of the amplified DNA with Norwalk virus-specific cDNA probes and a consistent correlation between virus detection in stools and infection of volunteers. RT-PCR detected virus in stool samples diluted 10(-4) and was about 100 times more sensitive than dot blot hybridization. In serial stool samples collected before and at different times after inoculation of 10 volunteers with Norwalk virus, 37 of 55 were positive by RT-PCR, but only 27 were positive by dot blot hybridization (chi 2 = 22.96; P less than 0.001). Further application of this method should allow detection of Norwalk virus in food or environmental samples such as shellfish and shellfish waters.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Assessment of risk reduction strategies for the management of agricultural nonpoint source pesticide runoff in estuarine ecosystems.

Agricultural nonpoint source (NPS) runoff may result in significant discharges of pesticides, suspended sediments, and fertilizers into estuarine habitats adjacent to agricultural areas or downstream from agricultural watersheds. Exposure of estuarine fin fish and shellfish to toxic levels of pesticides may occur, resulting in significant declines in field populations. Integrated pest management (IPM), best management practices (BMP), and retention ponds (RP) are risk management tools that have been proposed to reduce the contaminant risk from agricultural NPS runoff into estuarine ecosystems. Field studies were conducted at three sites within coastal estuarine ecosystems of South Carolina (SC) from 1985 to 1990 that varied in terms of the amount and degree of risk reduction strategies employed. An intensively managed (IPM, BMP, and RP) agricultural treatment site (TRT) was studied for pesticide runoff impacts. From 1985 to 1987, there were minimal (some IPM and BMP) management activities at TRT, but from 1988 to 1990, TRT was managed using an intensive risk reduction strategy. A second unmanaged agricultural growing area, Kiawah (KWA), was also studied and compared with TRT in terms of pesticide runoff and the resulting impacts on grass shrimp (Palaemonetes pugio) and mummichogs (Fundulus heteroclitus). A third, non-agricultural, reference site (CTL) was used for comparing results from the managed and unmanaged agricultural sites. In situ toxicity tests and field samples of the grass shrimp populations were conducted at each site and compared in terms of survival and the effectiveness of current risk reduction strategies. Significant runoff of insecticides (azinphosmethyl, endosulfan, and fenvalerate) along with several fish kills were observed at TRT prior to the implementation of rigorous risk reduction methods. A significant reduction of in stream pesticide concentrations (up to 90%) was observed at TRT following the implementation of strict NPS runoff controls, which greatly reduced impacts on estuarine fish and shellfish. At the unmanaged KWA, continued impacts due to the runoff of these insecticides were observed, along with several fish kills. Additional monitoring indicated that gravid female grass shrimp populations from KWA had elevated levels of P-glycoprotein (P-gp), a multidrug resistance protein, which may transport various pesticides across cellular membranes. Comparison of field results with laboratory toxicity tests established that pesticide exposure was the primary cause of observed field impacts at each site. These findings clearly indicate the value of an integrated risk reduction strategy (BMP, IPM, and RP) for minimizing impacts from NPS agricultural pesticide runoff.

ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Mem↗

PubMed2002

Comparison of hemolytic activities among strains of Heterocapsa circularisquama isolated in various localities in Japan.

Heterocapsa circularisquama (Dinophyceae), a red tide dinoflagellate, is toxic to bivalve molluscs such as the pearl oyster (Pinctada fucata), but no harmful effects of this alga on fish have been observed so far. We found that 7 strains of H. circularisquama showed hemolytic activities toward rabbit erythrocytes in a cell-density dependent manner, but to quite different extents. The strains which are known to be highly toxic to bivalves tend to show stronger hemolytic activities and vice versa, suggesting that the hemolytic activity is parallel with the shellfish toxicity of H. circularisquama. Since the hemolytic assay is simple, semiquantitative, and reproducible, this assay is useful not only to search for certain toxins responsible for the shellfish toxicity of H. circularisquama but also to estimate the potential toxicity of a newly appeared strain of H. circularisquama.

Animals↗

PubMed2005

Mercury in commercial fish: optimizing individual choices to reduce risk.

Most attention to the risks from fish consumption has focused on recreational anglers and on fish caught by individuals, but the majority of fish that people eat are purchased from commercial sources. We examined mercury levels in three types of fish (tuna, flounder, bluefish) commonly available in New Jersey stores, sampling different regions of the state, in communities with high and low per capita incomes, and in both supermarkets and specialty fish markets. We were interested in species-specific levels of mercury in New Jersey fish and whether these levels were similar to data generated nationally by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA; mainly from 1990 to 1992) on the same types of fish. Such information is critical for providing public health advice. We were also interested in whether mercury levels in three common species of fish differed by region of the state, economic neighborhood, or type of store. We found significant species differences, with tuna having the highest levels and flounder the lowest levels. There were no significant differences in mercury levels as a function of type of store or economic neighborhood. There was only one regional difference: flounder from fish markets along the Jersey shore had higher mercury levels than flounder bought in other markets. We also examined mercury levels in six other commonly available fish and two shellfish from central New Jersey markets. There were significant differences in availability and in mercury levels among fish and shellfish. Both shrimp and scallops had total mercury levels < 0.02 ppm (wet weight). Large shrimp had significantly lower levels of mercury than small shrimp. For tuna, sea bass, croaker, whiting, scallops, and shrimp, the levels of mercury were higher in New Jersey samples than those reported by the FDA. Consumers selecting fish for ease of availability (present in > 50% of markets) would select flounder, snapper, bluefish, and tuna (tuna had the highest mercury value), and those selecting only for price would select whiting, porgy, croaker, and bluefish (all with average mercury levels < 0.3 ppm wet weight). Flounder was the fish with the best relationship among availability, cost, and low mercury levels. We suggest that state agencies responsible for protecting the health of their citizens should obtain information on fish availability in markets and fish preferences of diverse groups of citizens and use this information to select fish for analysis of contaminant levels, providing data on the most commonly eaten fish that will help people make informed decisions about risks from fish consumption.

Animals↗

PubMed2006

Saxitoxin puffer fish poisoning in the United States, with the first report of Pyrodinium bahamense as the putative toxin source.

BACKGROUND: From January 2002 to May 2004, 28 puffer fish poisoning (PFP) cases in Florida, New Jersey, Virginia, and New York were linked to the Indian River Lagoon (IRL) in Florida. Saxitoxins (STXs) of unknown source were first identified in fillet remnants from a New Jersey PFP case in 2002. METHODS: We used the standard mouse bioassay (MBA), receptor binding assay (RBA), mouse neuroblastoma cytotoxicity assay (MNCA), Ridascreen ELISA, MIST Alert assay, HPLC, and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) to determine the presence of STX, decarbamoyl STX (dc-STX), and N-sulfocarbamoyl (B1) toxin in puffer fish tissues, clonal cultures, and natural bloom samples of Pyrodinium bahamense from the IRL. RESULTS: We found STXs in 516 IRL southern (Sphoeroides nephelus), checkered (Sphoeroides testudineus), and bandtail (Sphoeroides spengleri) puffer fish. During 36 months of monitoring, we detected STXs in skin, muscle, and viscera, with concentrations up to 22,104 microg STX equivalents (eq)/100 g tissue (action level, 80 microg STX eq/100 g tissue) in ovaries. Puffer fish tissues, clonal cultures, and natural bloom samples of P. bahamense from the IRL tested toxic in the MBA, RBA, MNCA, Ridascreen ELISA, and MIST Alert assay and positive for STX, dc-STX, and B1 toxin by HPLC and LC-MS. Skin mucus of IRL southern puffer fish captive for 1-year was highly toxic compared to Florida Gulf coast puffer fish. Therefore, we confirm puffer fish to be a hazardous reservoir of STXs in Florida's marine waters and implicate the dinoflagellate P. bahamense as the putative toxin source. CONCLUSIONS: Associated with fatal paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) in the Pacific but not known to be toxic in the western Atlantic, P. bahamense is an emerging public health threat. We propose characterizing this food poisoning syndrome as saxitoxin puffer fish poisoning (SPFP) to distinguish it from PFP, which is traditionally associated with tetrodotoxin, and from PSP caused by STXs in shellfish.

Animals↗

PubMed2005

Perioral angioedema associated with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor.

BACKGROUND: Angioedema is a non-pruritic swelling usually limited to the skin and mucous membranes of the face and perioral soft tissues. It can be life threatening but usually is not, and can be managed with conservative medical treatment unless the airway is endangered. Recent reports suggest that angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors can predispose and/or precipitate angioedema, with a predilection toward patients of African American ancestry. METHODS: This case report involved a 65-year-old African American female who was being treated surgically for localized chronic periodontitis. The procedure was performed without incident, and the patient was alert and stable when released. The next day, the patient called and reported that her lips were swollen. She stated that this had happened a number of times over the past several years, sometimes related to eating shellfish and other times without any known precipitating factor. All previous episodes of perioral swelling occurred after ACE inhibitor therapy had been initiated. RESULTS: The patient was in no distress, with no other site involvement. She was prescribed oral hydroxyzine and her appearance returned to normal after 5 days. Although the patient had experienced previous episodes of angioedema, none had been in response to any dental procedure. She was referred to the Allergy and Immunology Clinic for skin testing, the results of which were negative to shellfish with good controls. Other potentiating etiologies were also ruled out by the allergist. CONCLUSIONS: Angioedema is a recognized possible side effect of ACE inhibitor therapy. The exact mechanism by which ACE inhibitors induce angioedema is not known, although the risk of occurrence is much greater in African Americans. Practitioners should be alert to this potentially fatal condition in patients who take ACE inhibitors or the newer angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs).

Black or African American↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Prevalence of food allergy in 137 latex-allergic patients.

There have been reports of increased prevalence of certain food allergies in patients with Type I latex allergy (LA). A detailed food allergy history was obtained from 137 patients with LA. Latex allergy was defined by positive history of IgE mediated reactions to contact with latex and positive skin prick test to latex and/or positive in vitro test (AlaSTAT and/or Pharmacia CAP). Food allergy was diagnosed by a convincing history of possible IgE mediated symptoms occurring within 60 minutes of ingestion. We identified 49 potential allergic reactions to foods in 29 (21.1%) patients. Foods responsible for these reactions include banana 9 (18.3%), avocado 8 (16.3%), shellfish 6 (12.2%), fish 4 (8.1%), kiwi 6 (12.2%), tomato 3 (6.1%), watermelon, peach, carrot 2 (4.1%) each, and apple, chestnut, cherry, coconut, apricot, strawberry, loquat, one (2.0%) each. Reactions to foods included local mouth irritation, angioedema, urticaria, asthma, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, rhinitis, or anaphylaxis. Our study confirms the earlier reports of increased prevalence of food allergies in patients with LA. We also report increased prevalence of shellfish and fish allergy not previously reported. The nature of cross reacting epitopes or independent sensitization between latex and these foods is not clear.

Female↗

PubMed1991

Aquaculture disease and health management.

Disease problems constitute the largest single cause of economic losses in aquaculture. In 1988, channel catfish producers lost over 100 million fish worth nearly $11 million. Estimates for 1989 predict even higher losses. The trout industry reported 1988 losses of over 20 million fish worth over $2.5 million. No data are available on losses sustained by producers of shellfish. Bacterial infections constitute the most important source of disease problems in all the various types of production. Gram-negative bacteria cause epizootics in nearly all cultured species. Fungal diseases constitute the second most important source of losses, especially in the culture of crustaceans and salmon. External protozoan parasites are responsible for the loss of large numbers of fry and fingerling fin fishes and are a cause of epizootics among young shellfish. The number of therapeutants approved by the Food and Drug Administration is limited. Research to support the registration of promising therapeutic agents is urgently needed.

Animals↗

PubMed1979

Influences of oyster or clam feeding on lipid metabolism in rats.

Rats were fed on three kinds of diets for two weeks: (I) basal diet, (II) containing 0.1% cholate and (III) containing 0.1% cholesterol and 0.1% cholate. Each dietary group was further divided into subgroups to whose diet was added 0, 5 or 10% (dry weight) of minced oyster (Callocorchina) or clam (Tapes japonica). The serum and liver cholesterol levels of the rats fed the basal diet were reduced by feeding oyster or clam. The serum and liver triglyceride levels of all dietary groups were lowered markedly by feeding oyster or clam. The activities of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, malic enzyme and acetyl-CoA carboxylase were markedly reduced in the basal groups fed oyster or clam. These effects were observed in 5 and 10% shellfish feeding. These shellfish may be considered hypolipidemic foods.

Acetyl-CoA Carboxylase↗

PubMed2004

[Simultaneous determination of stevioside, rebaudioside A and glycyrrhizic acid in foods by HPLC].

A method for the simultaneous determination of stevioside (Stev), rebaudioside A (RebA) and glycyrrhizic acid (GA) in foods was developed. These sweeteners were extracted from foods, except for dried fishes and shellfishes, by dialysis against Tris-HCl buffer (pH 9.0). Dried fishes and shellfishes were extracted with Tris-HCl buffer--methanol (2:8). The extracts were cleaned up with an Oasis MAX cartridge. The cartridge was washed with 0.05 mol/L sodium acetate (pH 4.0)--methanol (19:1), and the three sweeteners were eluted with 0.1 mol/L phosphoric acid--acetonitrile (1:1). Stev, RebA and GA in the eluate were chromatographed on a Develosil RPAQUEOUS-AR-5 (4.6 mm i.d. x 250 mm) column with 0.02 mol/L phosphoric acid-acetonitrile--methanol (90:55:5) as a mobile phase and monitored at 210 nm for Stev and RebA, and at 254 nm for GA. The recoveries of Stev, RebA and GA from 8 kinds of foods spiked at the level of 0.1 g/kg were 81.7-101%, 81.5-100% and 78.6-95.0%, respectively. The determination limits were 0.01 g/kg in samples.

Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid↗

PubMed2006

Comparative study of Domoic Acid and Okadaic Acid induced-chromosomal abnormalities in the Caco-2 cell line.

Okadaic Acid (OA) the major diarrheic shellfish poisoning (DSP) toxin is known as a tumor promoter and seems likely implicated in the genesis of digestive cancer. Little is known regarding genotoxicity and carcinogenicity of Domoic Acid (DA), the major Amnesic Shellfish Poisoning (ASP) toxin. Both OA and DA occur in seafood and are of human health concerns. Micronuclei (MN) arise from abnormalities in nuclear division during mitosis due to a failure of the mitotic spindle or by complex chromosomal configurations that pose problems during anaphase. In order to evaluate the ability of okadaic acid (OA) and domoic acid (DA) to induce DNA damage we performed the micronucleus assay using the Caco-2 cell line. To discriminate between a clastogenic or aneugenic effect of OA and DA, the micronucleus assay was conducted by cytokinesis-block micronucleus assay using cytochalasin B with Giemsa staining and/or acridine orange staining, in parallel to fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) using a concentrated human pan-centromeric chromosome paint probe. Our results showed that OA and DA significantly increased the frequency of MN in Caco-2 cells. The MN caused by OA are found in mononucleated cells and binucleated cells, whereas those caused by DA are mainly in binucleated cells. The results of FISH analysis showed that OA induced centromere-positive micronuclei and DA increased the percentage of MN without a centromeric signal. In conclusion, both OA and DA bear mutagenic potential as revealed in Caco-2 cells by induction of MN formation. Moreover, OA induced whole chromosome loss suggesting a specific aneugenic potential, whereas DA seems simply clastogenic. At present, one cannot rule out possible DNA damage of intestinal cells if concentrations studied are reached in vivo, since this may happen with concentrations of toxins just below regulatory limits in case of frequent consumption of contaminated shell fishes.

Caco-2 Cells↗

PubMed2004

The gonyautoxin 2/3 epimers reduces anal tone when injected in the anal sphincter of healthy adults.

The primary clinical symptom of Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning is acute paralytic illness produced by paralyzing toxins. Paralytic shellfish poison is formed by a mixture of phycotoxins and their toxicity is due to its reversible binding to a receptor site on the voltage-gated sodium channel on excitable cells, thus blocking neuronal transmission. We studied the effect of the gonyautoxin 2/3 epimers by local infiltration in the anal internal sphincter of healthy voluntary adults in order to reduce anal tone. The toxin was injected after prior clinical evaluation, anoscopy and anorectal manometry. Post injection clinical examination, electromyography and anorectal manometry were performed. Resting and voluntary contraction pressures were measured and the anorectal inhibitory and anocortical reflexes were tested by manometry. Blood and urine samples were obtained from each participant, and hemogram, basic metabolic panel, and urinalysis were done both before and one week after the injection. This study shows, for the first time, that gonyautoxin 2/3 reduces the anal tone by relaxing the anal sphincters in 100 % of the participants. Manometric recordings showed a significant decrease in anal maximal voluntary contraction pressure after the toxin injection, dropping to 55.2+/-6.2 % and 47.0+/-6.8% (Mean Value+/-Std.Dev.) of the baseline values at 2 minutes and at 24 hours respectively after the injection. Post-injection electromyography showed that activity of the muscle was abolished. We conclude that local administration of gonyautoxin 2/3 to the anal sphincter produces immediate relaxation and a statistically significant decrease in the anal tone (p <0.001).

Adult↗

PubMed1999

Use of mutant strain for evaluating processing strategies to inactivate Vibrio vulnificus in oysters.

Vibrio vulnificus is a ubiquitous marine bacterium frequently isolated from shellfish and associated with severe and often fatal disease in humans. Various control strategies to reduce the disease risk associated with V. vulnificus contamination in shellfish have been proposed. However, evaluating the efficacy of these control strategies is complicated because of the difficulty in distinguishing V. vulnificus from the high levels of background environmental Vibrio spp. The purpose of this research was to develop a model indicator V. vulnificus strain that could be readily differentiated from background microflora and used to facilitate the evaluation of processing efficacy. A spontaneous nalidixic acid-resistant strain of V. vulnificus (Vv-NA) was prepared from a wild-type parent (Vv-WT) using selective plating techniques. Vv-NA was very similar to Vv-WT with respect to biochemical characteristics, appearance on selective plating media, detection limits using most probable number and polymerase chain reaction, and growth rate. In comparative freeze inactivation studies on pure cultures, Vv-WT and Vv-NA had similar freeze inactivation profiles at -20 degrees C (conventional freezing), at -85 degrees C (cold blast freezing), and in liquid nitrogen (cryogenic freezing). In oyster homogenates artificially inoculated with Vv-NA, the organism was inactivated 95 to 99% after freezing, irrespective of freezing temperature. Thermal inactivation comparisons of pure cultures of Vv-WT and Vv-NA using the capillary tube method revealed statistically significant differences in D values at 47 degrees C (2.2 versus 3.0 min, respectively) and 50 degrees C (0.83 versus 0.56 min, respectively), but nearly identical values at 52 degrees C (0.21 versus 0.22 min, respectively). However, these D values were notably higher than those reported by other investigators and hence provided a conservative means by which to evaluate thermal inactivation. In oyster homogenates seeded with Vv-NA, D values of 1.3+/-0.09 min and 0.41+/-0.01 min were obtained at 46 degrees C and 48 degrees C, respectively. This study demonstrated that Vv-NA is readily enumerated and could be used as a surrogate for evaluating the degree of V. vulnificus inactivation provided by freezing and thermal treatments of oyster homogenates.

Animals↗

PubMed2000

Detection methods for human enteric viruses in representative foods.

Although viral foodborne disease is a significant problem, foods are rarely tested for viral contamination, and when done, testing is limited to shellfish commodities. In this work, we report a method to extract and detect human enteric viruses from alternative food commodities using an elution-concentration approach followed by detection using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Fifty-gram lettuce or hamburger samples were artificially inoculated with poliovirus type 1 (PV1), hepatitis A virus (HAV), or the Norwalk virus and processed by the sequential steps of homogenization, filtration, Freon extraction (hamburger), and polyethylene glycol (PEG) precipitation. To reduce volumes further and remove RT-PCR inhibitors, a secondary PEG precipitation was necessary, resulting in an overall 10- to 20-fold sample size reduction from 50 g to 3 to 5 ml. Virus recoveries in secondary PEG concentrates ranged from 10 to 70% for PV1 and 2 to 4% for HAV as evaluated by mammalian cell culture infectivity assay. Total RNA from PEG concentrates was extracted to a small volume (30 to 40 microl) and subjected to RT-PCR amplification of viral RNA sequences. Detection limit studies indicated that viral RNA was consistently detected by RT-PCR at initial inoculum levels > or =102 PFU/50-g food sample for PV1 and > or =10(3) PFU/50-g food sample for HAV. In similar studies with the Norwalk virus, detection at inoculum levels > or =1.5 X 10(3) PCR-amplifiable units/50-g sample for both food products was possible. All RT-PCR amplicons were confirmed by subsequent Southern hybridization. The procedure reported represents progress toward the development of methods to detect human enteric viral contamination in foods other than shellfish.

Food Contamination↗

PubMed2006

4. Food allergy in childhood.

Food allergies in children present with a wide spectrum of clinical manifestations, including anaphylaxis, urticaria, angioedema, atopic dermatitis and gastrointestinal symptoms (such as vomiting, diarrhoea and failure to thrive). Symptoms usually begin in the first 2 years of life, often after the first known exposure to the food. Immediate reactions (occurring between several minutes and 2 hours after ingestion) are likely to be IgE-mediated and can usually be detected by skin prick testing (SPT) or measuring food-specific serum IgE antibody levels. Over 90% of IgE-mediated food allergies in childhood are caused by eight foods: cows milk, hens egg, soy, peanuts, tree nuts (and seeds), wheat, fish and shellfish. Anaphylaxis is a severe and potentially life-threatening form of IgE-mediated food allergy that requires prescription of self-injectable adrenaline. Delayed-onset reactions (occurring within several hours to days after ingestion) are often difficult to diagnose. They are usually SPT negative, and elimination or challenge protocols are required to make a definitive diagnosis. These forms of food allergy are not usually associated with anaphylaxis. The mainstay of diagnosis and management of food allergies is correct identification and avoidance of the offending antigen. Children often develop tolerance to cows milk, egg, soy and wheat by school age, whereas allergies to nuts and shellfish are more likely to be lifelong.

Breast Feeding↗

PubMed1994

Transmission of hepatitis A to patients with hemophilia by factor VIII concentrates treated with organic solvent and detergent to inactivate viruses. The Italian Collaborative Group.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether an outbreak of hepatitis A virus (HAV) infection that occurred in 52 patients with hemophilia in Italy was acquired through infusion of contaminated factor VIII or through environmental enteric transmission. DESIGN: A case-control study and a molecular analysis of HAV sequences from implicated lots of factor VIII and from infected patients. PATIENTS: The first 29 patients with hemophilia and jaundice in whom hepatitis A developed were compared with one to three matched controls with hemophilia but no jaundice. MEASUREMENTS: Type of concentrate and batches infused, number of doses, contacts with persons who had jaundice or hepatitis A, travel abroad to countries reported to have a high attack rate for hepatitis A, and consumption of raw shellfish. Hepatitis A viral sequences sought by polymerase chain reaction in lots of factor VIII and in serial serum samples from two patients with hemophilia in whom hepatitis A developed. Amplification by polymerase chain reaction of cDNA transcribed with reverse transcriptase from matched sets of factor VIII and recipient serum samples. Determination of nucleotide sequence of amplified hepatitis A virus genome. MAIN RESULTS: Case patients were neither more nor less likely than controls to have traveled to high-risk countries, consumed raw shellfish, or had contact with persons with jaundice. Case patients were more likely than controls to have received a factor VIII concentrate treated with a solvent-detergent mixture to inactivate viruses (odds ratio, infinity; 95% CI, 4.5 to infinity) and to have had larger infusions of the concentrate during the presumed HAV incubation period (odds ratio, 8.54; CI, 2.78 to 27.5). Hepatitis A viral sequences were found in 5 of 12 tested lots of factor VIII. Genomic sequences of HAV obtained for two matched sets of factor VIII and recipient serum samples were identical within each set but different for the two sets. CONCLUSION: Hepatitis A was transmitted by a factor VIII concentrate treated by a virucidal method (solvent-detergent) that ineffectively inactivates nonenveloped viruses.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Health and safety concerns in fisheries and aquaculture.

Only 10% of all foodborne illnesses in the United States are attributed to seafood, making seafood a relatively safe food commodity. The implementation of Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points guidelines should make seafood consumption even safer. Concerns include closed-loop, indoor, water-recirculating production systems; harmful algal blooms in marine environments, which can cause paralytic, neurologic, amnesic, and diarrhetic shellfish poisonings and ciguatera fish poisoning; bacteria (such as Mycobacterium marinum and Streptococcus iniae) and nematode, cestode, trematode, and protozoan parasites found in fish that cause human infections; and the shellfish origin of Norwalk virus infection. Avoidance, control, and treatment of this wide range of maladies contracted by humans from fish are covered in this review article. Prevention of accidents in fisheries and aquaculture is receiving more attention by groups such as the FDA, OSHA, and the Working Group for Quality Assurance in Aquaculture Production, which is part of the federal Joint Subcommittee on Aquaculture in Washington, D.C.

Accidents, Occupational↗

PubMed1999

Seafood allergy: tropomyosins and beyond.

Hypersensitive reactions to seafood is one of the most common food allergies. Despite years of intensive studies, the reasons why some people are allergic to seafood is still unclear. The growing demand for seafood and the subsequent increasing risk of seafood allergy in the population at large make it important to elucidate the molecular basis of seafood allergy and identify the seafood allergens at the molecular level. Here, we discuss the clinical symptoms, physiological mechanisms, current findings of the immunological and molecular basis of shellfish allergy as well as future directions for the prevention of shellfish allergy. Interestingly, identified seafood allergens belong to a group of muscle proteins, namely the parvalbumins in codfish and tropomyosin in crustaceans. In addition, there is strong immunological evidence that tropomyosin is a cross-reactive allergen among crustaceans and mollusks. The molecular cloning, expression and biochemical characterization of seafood allergens will continue to provide valuable tools in the further understanding of the mechanisms of seafood allergy as well as the future development of immunomodulation regimen.

Allergens↗