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J. J GESTAL OTERO ANAL. REAL ACAD. NAL. FARM.

SUMMARY

Epidemiological aspects of the diarrheic shellfish poisoning (DSP)

After a brief introduction on its history, we study the epidemiology of the diar-
rheic shellfish poisoning, emphasizing its economical and health-related impact. We re-
view the incidence of the disease in Europe, Asia and America, and the decrease of the
number of outbreaks after implementation of the Programs of Surveillance and Control.

We study the DSP-group toxins (okadaic acid and other dinophysistoxins, pec-
tenotoxins and yessotoxins) and the main dinoflagellates that produce these toxins (Di-
nophysis y Prorocentrum). Furthermore, we study the role played by mussels and scal-
lops in the transmission as well as the difficulty and factors related to their detoxination.

We describe and analyze those factors that influence the occurrence of red
tides: nutrients, temperature, sunlight, salinity, organic matter, metals and chelants,
growth-promoting substances, sea conditions and dominant winds.

We finally describe the actions related to primary prevention (sea and market
surveillance) and secondary prevention (actions against an outbreak). We also describe
the Galician Control Program of Biotoxins as well as the European norms.

Key Works: Diarrheic shellfish poison (DSP).— Epidemiology chain.— Red tide.—
Prevention.— Marine biotoxins monitoring program.— Red tide warning network.—
European regulations.— Epidemiological investigation of DSP outbreak

INTRODUCCIÓN

Existen referencias que hacen pensar en el conocimiento desde
épocas remotas de las intoxicaciones relacionadas con el consumo de
peces y moluscos.1-6

En Europa ya hay descripciones científicas de brotes de
intoxicación paralítica desde 16894-5, si bien el conocimiento con
exactitud de su vinculación con los mejillones no va a tenerse hasta 1927,
con motivo de un envenenamiento que tuvo lugar en la costa central de
California, conduciendo los estudios posteriores (1937) de Meyer y
Sommer7-8 al descubrimiento de su causa, los dinoflagelados y sus
toxinas, y al inicio de su estudio con profundidad. Halstead3 recopiló los
casos publicados en la literatura mundial hasta 1965.

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