Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning

1 min readEvidence-linked topicGreen Medicine Encyclopedia

Also known as:  PSP

 

Description

Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning is a type of Food Poisoning.

 

Toxic Effects of Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning

Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning can be lethal.

 

Nervous System

 PSP may cause Paralysis.

 

Causes of Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning

Algae

 Various types of Dinoflagellates (group of toxic Algae) cause Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning when they are consumed by Clams, Mussels, Oysters and other types of Shellfish that are immune to its toxic effects.  When these shellfish are then consumed by humans Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning occurs.  The Dinoflagellates that cause PSP are botanically named:

 Gonyaulax catenella

 Gonyaulax polyedra

 Gonyaulax tamarensis

 Gymnodinium breve

 

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