Human Risk of Saxitoxins Poisoning: Incidence, Source, Toxicity and Diagnostic Methods

Cyanobacteria are ubiquitous photosynthetic microorganisms that cause blooms in surface waters; some species endanger the health of humans and other animals. To date, more than 65 cyanobacterial neurotoxins have been discovered, of which Saxitoxins (STXs) is the most well-known and have many variants. Saxotoxins target voltage-gated ion channels that cause skeletal or respiratory muscle block and cause death due to the inability to breathe. Saxotoxins, by accumulating in marine food sources such as snails, shellfish, and finfish, cause poisoning of aquatic mammals and humans. The incidence of saxitoxin has been reported in several different regions, including the Persian Gulf, Australia, and North and South America, which should be given special attention due to the high lethality of this type of poisoning. In addition to the risk to human health, it is also very dangerous for wildlife, especially aquatic animals. Due to the high toxicity of saxitoxin and some reports in Iran, more precise and extensive preventive and control measures should be taken for this dangerous toxin, which has been somewhat facilitated due to sensitive diagnostic methods.