title: Microcystins in South American aquatic ecosystems: Occurrence, toxicity and toxicological assays.
abstract: The acute poisoning of chronic renal patients during hemodialysis sessions in 1996 in Caruaru City (Pernambuco State, Brazil) stimulated an intensive search for the cause of this severe complication. This search culminated in the identification of microcystins (MC), hepatotoxic cyclic heptapeptides produced by cyanobacteria, as the causative agents. More than ten years later, additional research data provides us with a better understanding of the factors related to cyanobacterial bloom occurrence and production of MC in Brazil and other South American countries. The contamination of water bodies and formation of toxic blooms remains a very serious concern, especially in countries in which surface water is used as the main source for human consumption. The purpose of this review is to highlight the discoveries of the past 15 years that have brought South American researchers to their current level of understanding of toxic cyanobacteria species and that have contributed to their knowledge of factors related to MC production, mechanisms of action and consequences for human health and the environment.
authors.affiliation: Universidade de São Paulo, Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Departamento de Análises Clínicas e Toxicológicas and Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia de Análise Integrada do Risco Ambiental (INAIRA), Av Professor Lineu Prestes, 580, 05508-900 São Paulo-SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Felipe Augusto
authors.initials: FA
authors.lastname: Dörr
authors.forename: Ernani
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Pinto
authors.forename: Raquel Moraes
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Soares
authors.forename: Sandra Maria
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Feliciano de Oliveira e Azevedo
mesh_terms: D001427:Bacterial Toxins / Q000032:analysis* / Q000737:chemistry; D001938:Brazil; D017753:Ecosystem; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D006801:Humans; D052998:Microcystins / Q000032:analysis* / Q000737:chemistry; D013020:South America; D014867:Water / Q000737:chemistry*; D014871:Water Microbiology; D014881:Water Supply
chemical_list: D001427:Bacterial Toxins; D052998:Microcystins; D014867:Water