Dermatitis associated with exposure to a marine cyanobacterium during recreational water exposure.
BACKGROUND
Anecdotal evidence reported an outbreak of symptoms on Fraser Island during the late 1990 s similar to those expected from exposure to dermotoxins found in the cyanobacterium L. majuscula. This coincided with the presence of a bloom of L. majuscula.


METHODS
Records from the Fraser Island National Parks First aid station were examined. Information on cyanobacterial blooms at Fraser Island were obtained from Queensland National Parks rangers.


RESULTS
Examination of first aid records from Fraser Island revealed an outbreak of symptoms predominantly in January and February 1998.


CONCLUSIONS
During a bloom of L. majuscula there were numerous reports of symptoms that could be attributed to dermotoxins found in L. majuscula. The other four years examined had no L. majuscula blooms and the number of L. majuscula symptoms was much reduced. These cases comprised a high percentage of the cases treated at the first aid station.
Osborne
Nicholas J
NJ
Gut and Liver, Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, Flemington Road, Melbourne, Australia. nicholas.osborne@mcri.edu.au
Shaw
Glen R
GR
D000458:Cyanobacteria; D003872:Dermatitis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology*; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D006801:Humans; D007899:Leisure Activities; D008235:Lyngbya Toxins / Q000633:toxicity*; D011793:Queensland / Q000453:epidemiology; D012621:Seasons; D012623:Seawater; D013550:Swimming
D008235:Lyngbya Toxins