Ciguatoxin

Dear Colleagues,

Ciguatoxins (CTXs), responsible for Ciguatera poisoning (CP), are liposoluble toxins produced by microalgae of the genera Gambierdiscus and Fukuyoa. With an estimated number of cases exceeding 50,000 per year worldwide, some fatal, CP is the most common non-bacterial illness associated with seafood. Until recently, CP intoxications were perceived as endemic to (sub)tropical regions of the Pacific and Indian Ocean and the Caribbean Sea, but they are now responsible for intoxications in other places around the world. Particularly, in Europe, intoxications occur due to both the consumption of imported ciguatoxin-contaminated seafood from endemic areas and the consumption of ciguatoxin-contaminated seafood from certain areas of Macaronesia, such as Azores, the Madeira Islands (Portugal) and the Canary Islands (Spain).

The presence of CTXs in aquatic organisms can be detected via screening methods, such as mouse bioassays, in vitro cell tests, and receptor binding assays, and confirmed using mass-spectrometry-based analyses. However, the shortage of commercially available reference materials clearly indicates a challenge for marine toxin research. The increased presence of CTXs, combined with their occurrence in new latitudes and the contribution of climate change, is raising global concern. In this context, further investigations regarding CTX presence and origin in aquatic environments, the development of more sophisticated analysis methods, additional data on human intoxication incidents and the toxicological potency of CTX analogues, as well as potential mitigation/regulatory management measures are considered as extremely important.

This Topical Collection aims to focus on any new information and scientific evidence mainly with regard to: (i) CTX occurrence in aquatic environments, with an emphasis on edible aquatic organisms; (ii) analysis methods for the determination of CTXs; (iii) advances regarding CTX-producing organisms; (iv) environmental factors involved in the presence of CTXs; and (v) the assessment of public health risks related to the presence of CTXs, as well as risk management and mitigation strategies. Studies addressing any other questions of relevance or reviews related to CTXs are also considered to be of interest and welcome for submission.

Dr. Panagiota Katikou
Collection Editor

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