Presence of diatoms that can cause sickness, memory loss confirmed in Luzon

Rowegie Abanto

ABS-CBN News

<div><span style="color:rgb(0, 0, 0)"></span><br/></div><div><span style="color:rgb(0, 0, 0)"></span><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:950px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1731292201550P pungens and P brasiliana, Botavara et al.jpg" style="width:950px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">P pungens and P brasiliana. <em>Botavara et al.</em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA (<strong>UPDATED</strong>) — Researchers from the Philippines and Malaysia have confirmed the presence in Luzon of a type of microscopic algae called diatoms that can cause vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and short-term memory loss that may be permanent.</p><p>Scientists from the Ateneo de Manila University Department of Biology and Universiti Malaysia Sarawak found the presence of two species of <em>Pseudo-nitzschia</em> diatoms — <em>P pungens</em> and <em>P brasiliana</em> — in water samples from shellfish farms in Bacoor Bay in Cavite and Pagbilao Bay in Quezon. For the first time, <em>P brasiliana </em>was found in Luzon, they said.<em></em></p><p>Diatoms are mostly harmless and serve as food for many marine animals, including shellfish. But about half of the known species of the diatom <em>Pseudo-nitzschia</em> are &quot;notorious&quot; for producing domoic acid, a biotoxin that can cause gastrointestinal symptoms and, in rare cases, permanent short-term memory loss, a condition known as amnesic shellfish poisoning, the researchers said.</p><p>The last documented case of amnesic shellfish poisoning was in 1987 in Prince Edward Island, Canada where four victims died after consuming toxic mussels.</p><p>According to the Washington State Department of Health, the toxin that causes amnesic shellfish poisoning is not destroyed by cooking or freezing and there is no antidote for it. </p><p>&quot;The only treatment for severe cases [of amnesic shellfish poisoning] is the use of life support systems until the toxin passes from the victim&#x27;s system,&quot; it said.</p><div><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/lifestyle/health-wellness/2024/10/15/ai-research-uncovers-160-000-new-rna-viruses-828" id="isPasted">AI research uncovers 160,000 new RNA viruses</a></div><div><strong>NO CAUSE FOR ALARM</strong></div><p>According to the Washington State Department of Health, it is normal for the biotoxin-producing algae to be present in marine water. They are usually at &quot;very low concentrations and pose no problems for most people who eat moderate amounts of shellfish.&quot;</p><div><em></em></div><p>However, toxic domoic acid can accumulate in filter-feeding shellfish such as mussels and clams during algal blooms or red tide when algae become a greater food source for shellfish, it said.</p><p>&quot;Biotoxins don&#x27;t harm shellfish, so the level in their tissue will rise until the bloom subsides. When the number of toxin-producing algal cells returns to normal low levels, the shellfish eventually flush the toxin from their bodies,&quot; the US health agency said. &quot;It can be several days to several months or longer before they&#x27;re safe to eat again.&quot;</p><p>The researchers also noted that <em>Pseudo-nitzschia </em>and other diatoms &quot;naturally exist in the water in very small numbers that are generally no cause for alarm or concern. Side effects can only happen under very specific conditions such as a harmful algal bloom.&quot;</p><div><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/lifestyle/health-wellness/2024/10/17/who-9-out-of-10-deaths-in-western-pacific-including-ph-due-to-noncommunicable-diseases-1409" id="isPasted">WHO: 9 out of 10 deaths in Western Pacific including PH due to noncommunicable diseases</a></div><div><strong>DIATOM STUDY &#x27;ESSENTIAL&#x27; TO RED TIDE MONITORING</strong></div><p>The paper on diatoms by researchers Lorenzo A. Botavara, Janice A. Ragaza, Hong Chang Lim, and Sing Tung Teng was published by the <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/0269249X.2024.2401968">academic publisher Taylor and Francis</a> in October 2024.</p><p>What prompted the researchers to study the microscopic organisms was that &quot;little is known&quot; about the extent of proliferation of diatom <em>Pseudo-nitzschia</em> in the Philippines, adding that the molecular taxonomy or genetic classification system of <em>Pseudo-nitzschia</em> in the country was &quot;virtually nonexistent.&quot;</p><p>&quot;It is important to be aware of the toxic potential of these diatoms and to monitor them accordingly, but such efforts must begin by establishing their presence in our waters,&quot; the researchers said.</p><p>They noted that confirming the presence of diatom <em id="isPasted">Pseudo-nitzschia</em><span style="margin:0px;padding:0px"><em> </em></span>was &quot;essential&quot; to harmful algal blooms or red tide monitoring in the Philippines, where many coastal communities consume shellfish regularly.</p><div><strong>MORE HEALTH STORIES:</strong></div><div><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/lifestyle/health-wellness/2024/10/2/up-researchers-ampalaya-medicine-tablet-for-type-2-diabetes-shows-promise-1343" id="isPasted">&#x27;Game changer&#x27;: UP researchers&#x27; ampalaya medicine tablet for Type 2 diabetes shows promise</a></div><div><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/lifestyle/health-wellness/2024/10/9/up-manila-seeks-partners-to-commercialize-ampalaya-pill-for-diabetes-827" id="isPasted">UP Manila seeks partners to commercialize ampalaya pill for diabetes</a></div><div><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/lifestyle/health-wellness/2024/11/5/doh-expects-continuous-rise-in-vector-borne-illnesses-as-extreme-weather-persist-1325" id="isPasted">DOH expects continuous rise in vector-borne illnesses as extreme weather persist</a></div><div><br/></div>

<p>Scientists have confirmed the presence in Luzon of a type of algae called diatoms that can cause vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and, in rare cases, short-term memory loss that may be permanent.</p>

Scientists have confirmed the presence in Luzon of a type of algae called diatoms that can cause vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and, in rare cases, short-term memory loss that may be permanent.

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Presence of diatoms that can cause sickness, memory loss confirmed in Luzon

Presence of diatoms that can cause sickness, memory loss confirmed in Luzon

Rowegie Abanto,

ABS-CBN News

Published Nov 11, 2024 01:07 PM PHT

|

Updated Nov 21, 2024 05:35 AM PHT

Read More:

Ateneo de Manila University

amnesia

short-term memory

diatoms

Amnesic Shellfish Poisoning

Pseudo-nitzschia

domoic acid

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