title: Human health effects of exposure to Pfiesteria piscicida: a review.
abstract: Since its identification, the dinoflagellate Pfiesteria piscicida has been implicated in fish kills and fish disease in the southeastern United States. Adverse health effects have been reported in researchers working with the organism and in watermen following exposure to a fish kill in Maryland. A bioactive secretion is postulated as the cause of these effects but has not yet been isolated and chemically characterized. The biology and toxicology of this organism remain the topic of debate and research.
authors.affiliation: Office of Prospective Health, East Carolina University School of Medicine, Room 188, Warren Bldg, 600 Moye Blvd., Greenville, NC 27858, USA. swinkerm@mail.ecu.edu
authors.forename: Marian
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Swinker
authors.forename: Patricia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Tester
authors.forename: Deborah
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Koltai Attix
authors.forename: Donald
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Schmechel
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001685:Biological Factors / Q000633:toxicity; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects; D005393:Fish Diseases / Q000382:microbiology*; D005517:Foodborne Diseases / Q000382:microbiology; D006801:Humans; D008387:Marine Toxins / Q000633:toxicity; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D020258:Neurotoxicity Syndromes / Q000382:microbiology*; D020045:Pfiesteria piscicida / Q000737:chemistry / Q000472:pathogenicity* / Q000502:physiology*; D011159:Population Surveillance; D017747:Seafood / Q000382:microbiology
chemical_list: D001685:Biological Factors; D008387:Marine Toxins