Ciguatoxin in Hawaiian archipelago fishes: Toxicity identified by N2a bioassay.

摘要

Ciguatera fish poisoning is a public health concern in Hawai'i, where nearshore fishing is a cultural mainstay. The neuroblastoma (N2a) bioassay patented by Manger (2001) has been widely used as a means of identifying ciguatoxin activity in fish tissues. The objectives of this paper were to: (1) identify ciguatoxic fishes using the sodium-channel specific N2a bioassay; and (2) determine how ciguatoxicity varies in fishes throughout the Hawaiian Archipelago. Fishes were opportunistically collected between September 2004 and July 2006. Ciguatoxin in fishes was widespread throughout the archipelago. Results for 294 samples indicate 19% of fish exhibited toxicity. Carnivores accounted for 23% of positive fish, and herbivores accounted for 16% of positive fish. Frequency of fish toxicity was significantly higher at Midway Atoll (47%), and no fishes tested positive at French Frigate Shoals (0%). Cytotoxic fishes were significantly smaller, and ciguatoxic fishes were significantly larger (weight and standard length).