title: Tetrodotoxin does not protect red-spotted newts, Notophthalmus viridescens, from intestinal parasites.
abstract: Tetrodotoxin (TTX) and its analogue 6-epiTTX had been detected in the red-spotted newt, Notophthalmus viridescens. Thirty specimens of a population from Pennsylvania, USA were histologically examined for the presence of intestinal parasites. More than 50% were found to be infected with nematodes (Trichocephalidae), trematodes or cestodes (Pseudophyllidae). The mean values of TTX and 6-epiTTX in parasitized and in non-parasitized newts were not significantly different. Using a monoclonal antibody-based immunoenzymatic technique, TTX was localized in the intestinal tissue as well as in the parasites indicating that they accumulate the toxin and suggesting that TTX and 6-epiTTX are not providing protection from parasites to the newts.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Legal Medicine, University of Frankfurt, Kennedyallee 104, D-60596 Frankfurt, Germany. mebs@em.uni-frankfurt.de
authors.forename: Dietrich
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Mebs
authors.forename: Mari
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Yotsu-Yamashita
authors.forename: Hanns Martin
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Seitz
authors.forename: Osamu
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Arakawa
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D007422:Intestines / Q000469:parasitology*; D012455:Salamandridae / Q000469:parasitology*; D013779:Tetrodotoxin / Q000008:administration & dosage*
chemical_list: D013779:Tetrodotoxin