Paralytic shellfish poisoning is associated with which toxin?

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Multiple Choice

Paralytic shellfish poisoning is associated with which toxin?

Paralytic shellfish poisoning is caused by saxitoxins, toxins produced by certain dinoflagellates that accumulate in shellfish. The key effect is that saxitoxin blocks voltage-gated sodium channels on nerves and muscles. This prevents the initiation and propagation of action potentials, leading to rapid onset of numbness, dizziness, weakness, and in severe cases, paralysis and respiratory failure. That paralysis of the nervous system is the hallmark of PSP, which is why saxitoxin is the toxin associated with this condition. For context, tetrodotoxin also blocks sodium channels and can cause paralysis, but it’s linked to pufferfish poisoning rather than shellfish poisoning. Domoic acid causes Amnesic Shellfish Poisoning by affecting glutamate receptors and memory, not the paralysis characteristic of PSP. Brevetoxins can cause Neurotoxic Shellfish Poisoning with different symptom patterns.

Paralytic shellfish poisoning is caused by saxitoxins, toxins produced by certain dinoflagellates that accumulate in shellfish. The key effect is that saxitoxin blocks voltage-gated sodium channels on nerves and muscles. This prevents the initiation and propagation of action potentials, leading to rapid onset of numbness, dizziness, weakness, and in severe cases, paralysis and respiratory failure. That paralysis of the nervous system is the hallmark of PSP, which is why saxitoxin is the toxin associated with this condition.

For context, tetrodotoxin also blocks sodium channels and can cause paralysis, but it’s linked to pufferfish poisoning rather than shellfish poisoning. Domoic acid causes Amnesic Shellfish Poisoning by affecting glutamate receptors and memory, not the paralysis characteristic of PSP. Brevetoxins can cause Neurotoxic Shellfish Poisoning with different symptom patterns.

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