Brevetoxins

Brevetoxins, also known as brevitoxins, are potent neurotoxins produced by the unicellular marine dinoflagellate Ptychodiscus brevis, now usually called Karenia brevis. During harmful algal blooms, commonly called red tides, filter-feeding shellfish accumulate these toxins and can cause neurotoxic shellfish poisoning in people who eat them, with symptoms including nausea, tingling and reversed temperature sensation. Brevetoxins are also responsible for massive fish kills and can become airborne in sea spray, irritating the airways of beachgoers. Shellfish monitoring programmes and harvesting closures are the main defences keeping contaminated product out of the food supply.