Q. Can you explain Shellfish Poisoning?
Shellfish like oysters, mussels and clams are generally bred in the sewage polluted beds or brackish water. The shellfish poisoning in humans is caused due to the consumption of oysters, mussels and clams etc. which accumulate the toxins produced by dinoflagellate algae Gonyaulax catenella. Which illustrates the dinoflagellate algae.
The mussels and clams concentrate the dinoflagellates by filtering them as food from the surrounding water. If the concentration exceeds 200 cells per ml in the surrounding water during a "bloom", they will contain sufficient toxin to cause illness to those consuming the shellfish. The shell fish poisoning assumes importance due to the fact that they are consumed undercooked or uncooked.