Antibody to Prevent the Effects of Brevetoxin Poisoning in Conscious Rats

摘要

The marine dinoflagellate, Ptychodiscus brevis, primarily responsible for Florida red tides, produces toxins which cause massive fish kills in the Gulf of Mexico and along the Florida coast. In humans, these toxins (brevetoxins) also cause a respiratory tract irritation from contact with seaspray and an intoxication known as neurotoxic shellfish poisoning. These toxins may be considered as potential biological warfare threat agents; therefore, finding a method of prophylaxis and therapy is imperative. The purpose of this study was to determine if an anti-brevetoxin (PbTx-2) antibody could prevent the effects seen in rats in previous brevetoxin studies, namely, reduced respiratory rates, reduced core and peripheral body temperatures, and ECG abnormalities.